Valvular and Structural Heart Diseases
Intra-cardiac echo for left atrial appendage occlusion
Key Points
- Left atrial appendage occlusion using the Amulet device can be accomplished with fluoroscopic and intra-cardiac echo (ICE) imaging for guidance, obviating the need for general anesthesia and trans-esophageal echo.
- The ICE device can be placed directly into the left atrium, parallel to the occluder delivery system, using a single transseptal puncture, rather than via double transseptal puncture.
- The ideal methods for left atrial appendage imaging and procedure guidance have yet to be defined. The utility of CT evaluation is increasingly recognized. The emergence of three-dimensional ICE is likely to further our progress along the path of simplifying the LAAO procedure.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Consultant and research grants: Abbott, BSC, Edwards, Gore.
