Modified epicardial left atrial appendage occulusion during
thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation.
Abstract
Aims To investigate a modified method of epicardial left atrial
appendage (LAA) occlusion under the guidance of thoracoscopy and
transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during radiofrequency ablation of
atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results 19 patients with atrial
fibrillation underwent left atrial appendage occlusion and atrial
fibrillation radiofrequency ablation in two centers under the guidance
of thoracoscopy and TEE. All of the surgeries were completed in a
general surgery setting, avoiding fluoroscopy, and in each case the
entire procedure was guided by TEE. Radiofrequency ablation of atrial
fibrillation was performed by Wolf mini-maze. All operations went
smoothly with no serious complications. Postoperative TEE indicated that
each device was in a good position and there was no residual shunt
around any of the devices. Conclusions It is safe and reliable to apply
the left atrial appendage closure device to perform epicardial left
atrial appendage occlusion guided only by TEE, which is radiation-free.
And it can be performed simultaneously during the thoracoscopic
radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation.