Short report

DOI: 10.4244/EIJ-D-19-01088

Retrieval of embolised left atrial appendage closure devices

Shinwan Kany1,2, MD; Stefano Bordignon1, MD; Michael Piorkowski1, MD; Shaojie Chen1, MD; K.R. Julian Chun1, MD; Shota Tohoku1, MD; Boris Schmidt1, MD

Introduction

Device embolisation is a complication after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and may occur in up to 0.24% cases1,2. The Munich consensus document defines the need for repeated catheterisation in case of embolisation as a major device embolisation, while a successful retrieval in the same procedure is considered a minor embolisation3. However, information on retrieval strategies for embolised LAAC devices is scarce.

Methods

PATIENT COHORT

The Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien (CCB) Frankfurt database was used to identify patients with LAAC device embolisations and retrieval attempts between April 2010 and October 2019.

DEVICE RETRIEVAL

Percutaneous LAAC retrieval was performed by experienced cardiologists.

All procedures were executed taking account of guidelines such as the Munich consensus document3.

Results

MINOR AND MAJOR EMBOLISATION

A total of 711 devices were implanted (Table 1). Total minor embolisation was 0.7% (n=5) and total major embolisation 0.8% (n=6). Major embolisation included WATCHMAN™ (n=2) (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA), AMPLATZER™ Cardiac Plug (ACP) (n=2) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA), AMPLATZER™ Amulet™ (n=1) (Abbott Vascular) and LAmbre™ (n=1) (Lifetech Scientific, Shenzhen, China). Two additional cases were referred by external hospitals (WATCHMAN, n=1; Amulet, n=1).

TRANSSEPTAL RETRIEVAL FROM THE LEFT ATRIUM (n=6)

Transseptal retrieval of LAAC devices from the left atrium (LA) was attempted in six patients (ACP, n=2; AMPLATZER Amulet, n=3; Coherex WaveCrest® [Biosense Webster, Inc., Diamond Bar, CA, USA], n=1). While in four cases the embolisation was seen during implantation, in one patient it was discovered 47 days post implantation.

After transseptal puncture, a steerable sheath (MitraClip® delivery sheath [Abbott Vascular], 21 Fr inner diameter [ID], n=1; WaveCrest® delivery sheath, 17 Fr, n=1; and Cryoflex™, 12 Fr ID [FlexCath Advance™; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA], n=4) was placed in the LA. Procedural details are shown in Supplementary Table 1.

In four cases (ACP/Amulet; n=3, Coherex WaveCrest; n=1), the device was dislocated into the LA. For fixation, a 30 mm gooseneck snare was used to grab the occluder. For ACP/Amulet retrieval, a second 15 mm gooseneck snare was advanced to grab the central screw (Figure 1, Moving image 1). The Coherex WaveCrest occluder could only be partially retracted into the sheath. Subsequently, it was pulled through the interatrial septum (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Transseptal retrieval of an ACP from the LA via a steerable sheath. A) The disc’s screw is snared to the IAS. B) - D) Stepwise complete retraction of the disc and the lobe into the sheath.

Figure 2. Transseptal retrieval of a Coherex WaveCrest device from the LA. A) Anterior-posterior (PA) projection of an occluder in the LA. B) Fixation through the 17 Fr delivery sheath with a 30 mm gooseneck snare. C) Unsuccessful re-sheathing. Therefore, retraction of the fixed device and sheath through the IAS (D), the right atrium (E), and through the femoral vein (F).

In one case, Amulet fixation failed and the device embolised into the aorta. After arterial access, the occluder was pulled into the 12 Fr sheath by a gooseneck snare.

In one patient a first-generation Amulet device could not be retracted into the sheath. The device was then retracted through the interatrial septum and removed by snaring.

One Amulet was partially dislodged in the LAA. Despite extensive manipulation using gooseneck snares and bioptomes, the device could not be retracted into the sheath. The procedure was abandoned and oral anticoagulation (OAC) continued.

TRANSARTERIAL RETRIEVAL FROM THE AORTA (n=5)

In four patients device retrieval from the aorta was attempted (Amulet 22 mm, n=1; WATCHMAN [21 and 24 mm], n=2; Coherex WaveCrest 27 mm, n=1; LAmbre 36/40 mm, n=1) using fluoroscopy via arterial access.

For Amulet retrieval, the central screw was snared and the device retracted. WATCHMAN occluders were retrieved by pulling the devices with a gooseneck snare or vascular forceps (Supplementary Figure 1).

In one patient, a complex Coherex WaveCrest device retrieval from the descending aorta (Supplementary Figure 2, Moving image 2) was performed. Failed retraction into a 12 Fr sheath using a gooseneck snare led to dislodgement to the iliac bifurcation.

From the left femoral artery (16 Fr), the central hub of the device was wired, and the wire snared from the right femoral access sheath. Then, a balloon was advanced over the wire from the right femoral artery (12 Fr) to push the occluder while simultaneously pulling the device with retrieval forceps from the left.

Similarly, one embolised LAmbre device could not be retrieved by gooseneck snare (Supplementary Figure 3, Moving image 3). Bilateral arterial access was gained, and the device was retrieved by a push and pull manoeuvre.

RETRIEVAL FROM THE LEFT VENTRICLE (n=2)

In two patients (Amulet, n=1; WATCHMAN, n=1) the device embolised to the left ventricle one day post implantation.

After transseptal access via a 12 Fr steerable sheath, extensive manipulation was performed using a steerable electrophysiology (EP) catheter and snaring, but retrieval failed. Consequently, the patient became haemodynamically unstable due to acute mitral regurgitation. The patient was transferred to emergency heart surgery. After successful device explant and mitral valve repair, the patient went into acute right heart failure and died three weeks after the procedure.

The second patient with left ventricular (LV) embolisation was referred directly to successful surgical salvage.

Discussion

Despite the small number of patients, it appears feasible and safe to attempt percutaneous retrieval for devices embolised to the LA or aorta; however, surgery may be favoured for devices in the LV.

The AMULET registry reported a major device embolisation rate of 0.2%, while in EWOLUTION and in the post-approval WATCHMAN experience embolisation rates were reported as 0.2% and 0.24%, respectively1,2,4. This single centre reports a major embolisation rate of 0.8%. This included early market experience and one first-generation Amulet. Additionally, an unexpectedly high embolisation rate of the Coherex WaveCrest occluder of 4.7% was observed.

In contrast to a recent meta-analysis of case reports5, we discovered device embolisation within 24 hours after implant in 12/13 cases. This underscores the recommendation for adequate imaging before discharge. Moreover, the same meta-analysis revealed embolisation to the LV as the most common location in 43%5 in contrast to our data where the LV was the least common location (15%). This may be due to possible reporting bias in case reports.

For successful percutaneous retrieval, a large bore sheath (12-16 Fr) should be used to allow complete re-sheathing of the device. In the LA, steerable sheaths are helpful to improve manoeuvrability. Device fixation tools include gooseneck snares and bioptome forceps. Re-sheathing of some device types is difficult and successful retrieval warrants complex strategies. Interventional device retrieval from the LV is discouraged if device interaction with the mitral apparatus is present.

Limitations

This report is observational and retrieval approaches were left to the cardiologist’s discretion. Additionally, the total number of embolisations is small (n=11 + 2 external LAAC devices).

Conclusion

Transcatheter retrieval of embolised devices is safe in most cases. Device retrieval from the LV carries a high risk of structural damage to valves and should prompt referral to cardiac surgery.

Impact on daily practice

These data and the educational moving images have instructional value for a planned retrieval procedure. Transcatheter retrieval of LAAC devices embolised to the LA or the aorta appears safe and feasible. Percutaneous device retrieval from the LV should not be considered, and patients should be referred for heart surgery.

Funding

Institutional funding by CCB.

Conflict of interest statement

B. Schmidt has received speaker fees from Boston Scientific, Abbott and Lifetech. M. Piorkowski has received speaker’s honoraria from W.L. Gore, C.R. Bard, Veryan Medical, and Philips B.V. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Supplementary data

To read the full content of this article, please download the PDF.

Moving image 1. Transseptal retrieval of an ACP from the LA via a steerable sheath. The disc’s screw is snared to the IAS. Stepwise complete retraction of the disc and the lobe into the sheath. IAS: interatrial septum

Moving image 2. Percutaneous retrieval of a Coherex WaveCrest device from the aorta.

Moving image 3. Percutaneous retrieval of a LAmbre device from the aorta.


References

Volume 17 Number 2
Jun 11, 2021
Volume 17 Number 2
View full issue


Key metrics

Suggested by Cory

Image – Interventional flashlight

10.4244/EIJ-D-18-01064 Apr 16, 2019
Management of incomplete surgical left atrial appendage exclusion
Alkhouli M and Raybuck B
free

IMAGE IN CARDIOLOGY

10.4244/EIJY15M03_07 Oct 20, 2015
Interventional retrieval by catheter of a migrated atrial appendage occluder located in the arcus aortae
Bogunovic N et al
free

10.4244/EIJV12SXA10 May 16, 2016
Left atrial appendage closure: patient, device and post-procedure drug selection
Tzikas A and Bergmann M
free

EXPERT REVIEW

10.4244/EIJ-D-17-00469 Nov 20, 2017
Residual leaks following percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion: assessment and management implications
Raphael CE et al
free

Image – Interventional flashlight

10.4244/EIJ-D-21-00624 Jun 3, 2022
Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure in a surgically ligated left atrial appendage
Wong I et al
free

IMAGE IN CARDIOLOGY

10.4244/EIJV12I2A44 Jun 10, 2016
The plug for the appendage
Buellesfeld L et al
free

INTERVENTIONAL FLASHLIGHT

10.4244/EIJ-D-18-00419 Oct 19, 2018
Main pulmonary artery perforations after left atrial appendage occluder implantation
Scisło P et al
free

Clinical research

10.4244/EIJ-D-21-00286 Dec 17, 2021
Safety and feasibility of peri-device leakage closure after LAAO: an international, multicentre collaborative study
Piayda K et al
free
Trending articles
152.9

Clinical research

10.4244/EIJ-D-20-01125 Oct 20, 2021
An upfront combined strategy for endovascular haemostasis in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Costa G et al
free
47.8

NEW INNOVATION

10.4244/EIJ-D-15-00467 Feb 20, 2018
Design and principle of operation of the HeartMate PHP (percutaneous heart pump)
Van Mieghem NM et al
free
39.1

Clinical research

10.4244/EIJ-D-22-00558 Feb 6, 2023
Permanent pacemaker implantation and left bundle branch block with self-expanding valves – a SCOPE 2 subanalysis
Pellegrini C et al
free
X

The Official Journal of EuroPCR and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)

EuroPCR EAPCI
PCR ESC
Impact factor: 7.6
2023 Journal Citation Reports®
Science Edition (Clarivate Analytics, 2024)
Online ISSN 1969-6213 - Print ISSN 1774-024X
© 2005-2024 Europa Group - All rights reserved