Late-occurring left atrial appendage thrombus after ligation using LARIAT

Excerpt

An 83-year-old woman with nonvalvular persistent atrial fibrillation, preserved left ventricular systolic function, prior venous thromboembolism, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding preventing long-term anticoagulation underwent successful percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation by a combined endocardial and epicardial approach using the LARIAT suture closure device (SentreHeart, Redwood City, CA) (Online Video 1). Immediate post-procedure transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) demonstrated complete LAA sealing (Online Video 2). She was discharged to home without oral anticoagulation due to her bleeding history. Continued surveillance transthoracic echocardiography performed up to 9 months later was unremarkable. Thirteen months post-procedure, she presented to the emergency department complaining of progressive dyspnea. Computed tomography of the chest excluded pulmonary embolism but demonstrated a left atrial filling defect (Fig. 1a). Subsequent TEE confirmed thrombus arising from the ligated LAA protruding into the left atrium (LA) (Fig. 1b and Online Video 3). The patient was started on systemic anticoagulation. Future surveillance echocardiography is scheduled at 90 days. This case of late developing LAA thrombus highlights the need for further investigation and longer-term follow-up studies to identify the most appropriate surveillance imaging strategy, assess the risks of recurrent thrombus formation and stroke, and determine the need for, and appropriate duration of, systemic anticoagulation following LAA exclusion with the LARIAT device.

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