A Novel Echocardiographic-Based Classification for the Prediction of Peri-Device Leakage following Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Implantation

Ali Hamadanchi; Shun Ijuin; Franz Haertel; Tarek Bekfani; Julian Westphal; Marcus Franz; Sven Moebius-Winkler; P Christian Schulze

doi:10.3390/jcm11041059

A Novel Echocardiographic-Based Classification for the Prediction of Peri-Device Leakage following Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Implantation

J Clin Med. 2022 Feb 18;11(4):1059. doi: 10.3390/jcm11041059.

Authors

Ali Hamadanchi¹, Shun Ijuin^{1

2}, Franz Haertel¹, Tarek Bekfani³, Julian Westphal¹, Marcus Franz¹, Sven Moebius-Winkler¹, P Christian Schulze¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Medical Care, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747 Jena, Germany.
² Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Kagoshima Medical Center, Kagoshima 892-0853, Japan.
³ Division of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Medical Care, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.

Abstract

(1) Background: The assessment of residual peri-device leakages (PDL) after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) remains crucial for post-procedural management. Our study aimed to verify a novel echocardiographic classification for the prediction of PDL. (2) Methods: Echocardiographic data of 72 patients who underwent percutaneous LAAO were evaluated. All echo images were analyzed by two independent investigators using standard analysis software (Image-Arena IA-4.6.4.44 by TomTec^®, Munich, Germany). A total number of 127 studies was evaluated. Forty-four patients had baseline studies, at 45 days and at 6 months post-implantation. We propose a morphological classification of LAA devices based on the amount of echodensity inside the devices into three types: type A showing complete homogenous thrombosis, type B incompletely thrombosed device with inhomogeneous echo-free space <50% of device, and type C with partially thrombosed device in which the echo free space was >50% of device in various planes, which we called the "ice-cream cone" sign. Each type was matched to the degree of PDL and clinical outcome parameters. (3) Results: Patients with type C had the highest percentage of PDL at 45 days follow-up (type A: 24%, type B: 31%, type C 100% PDL, p < 0.001) and at 6 months follow-up (type A: 7%, type B: 33%, type C 100% PDL, p < 0.001). Notably, device size in patients with PDL was larger than that in patients without PDL at 6 months follow-up (25.6 ± 3.5 mm vs. 28.7 ± 3.4 mm, p = 0.004). Device size in patients with type C appearance was the largest of the three types (type A: 25.9 ± 3.6 mm, type B: 25.8 ± 3.4 mm, type C 29.8 ± 3.0 mm, type A vs. C; p = 0.019; type B vs. C, p = 0.007). (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, PDL are common post-LAAO, and their frequency is underestimated and under-recognized. PDL are much more common in patients with larger LAA ostial sizes and likely lower longitudinal compression. Type C appearance of the LAAO devices ("ice-cream cone sign") has a high positive predictive value for PDL. Further studies are needed for better delineation of the clinical importance of this proposed classification.

Keywords: echocardiography; left atrial appendage; para device leakage; percutaneous closure.