Technical aspects of a successful transvascular retrieval of an acutely dislodged WaveCrest® left atrial appendage occluder

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2019 Aug 1;94(2):285-288. doi: 10.1002/ccd.28365. Epub 2019 Jun 18.

Abstract

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an alternative therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation who are not suitable for anticoagulation. However, device embolization is one of the notable complications which inevitably requires catheter or surgical retrieval. In addition to previously reported Watchman® or AMULET® occluder embolization, here we report the first case of a WaveCrest® occluder dislodgement which was successfully removed by transcatheter technique. Instead of using the well-known snaring technique, we used a "wiring and ballooning technique" for retrieval. Considering its specific architecture without having hooks or feet where suitable for grasping, this technique is an option for retrieving WaveCrest® devices.

Keywords: embolization; left atrial appendage occluder; transcatheter retrieval.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Appendage / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Atrial Function, Left
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects
  • Cardiac Catheterization / instrumentation*
  • Device Removal*
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology
  • Foreign-Body Migration / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome