Safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure using an epicardial suture snaring device: Systematic review and current status

Authors

Syed Rafay Sabzwari, Department of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.Follow
Nikhil A. Mehta MD, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Lohit Garg MD, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Lekha Racharla DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Emilee E. Kurtz DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Muhammad R. Afzal, Department of Electrophysiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Mohit K. Turagam, Department of Electrophysiology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, New York, USA.Follow
Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, Department of Electrophysiology, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Overland Park, Kansas, USA.Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2021

Publication Title

Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology

E-ISSN

1540-8167

Department(s)

Cardiology Division; Fellows and Residents

Keywords

atrial appendage, epicardial appendage closure, lariat, pooled analysis, systematic review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The LARIAT epicardial suture snaring device has been fraught with technical challenges and procedural complications. Over time, technique modification and improved operator experience have helped overcome many of these challenges. METHODS AND RESULTS: Studies reporting left atrial appendage epicardial closure over a 12-year period from 2009 to 2020 were evaluated. The primary efficacy outcome evaluated was left atrial appendage closure with residual flow ≤1 mm. Safety outcomes evaluated were periprocedural and long term complications after device placement. Nine studies consisting of 1430 patients were included in this analysis, of which 1386 (97%) underwent successful device placement. The mean age was 69.3 years, with a mean CHADS -VASC score of 3.78. Primary efficacy end point was achieved in 95.8% patients immediately after device placement, and in 92.8% patients on long term follow-up. Early procedural complications consisted of pericardial effusion 5.6%, cardiac perforation 2.7%, pericarditis 2.6%, and need for open heart surgery 1.5%. Long term complications consisted of all-cause mortality 2.3%, stroke 1.5%, and left atrial appendage thrombus 2.3%. Reduced complications were noted using micropuncture needles (2.20% vs. 10.14%; p < .0001), a longer duration pericardial drainage, and use of anti-inflammatory medications (1.58% vs. 8.4%). Oral anticoagulation use decreased from 44.7% to 22.9% post device implantation, and to 8.5% on last clinical follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The LARIAT device is effective in epicardial closure of the left atrial appendage. Improvement in device techniques such as use of micropuncture needle, prophylactic colchicine, and maintenance of a pericardial drain have helped improve safety over time.

Volume

32

Issue

8

First Page

2189

Last Page

2198

DOI

10.1111/jce.15132

PubMed ID

34164881

Recommended Citation

Sabzwari, S. R., Mehta, N. A., Garg, L., Racharla, L., Kurtz, E. E., Afzal, M. R., Turagam, M. K., & Lakkireddy, D. (2021). Safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure using an epicardial suture snaring device: Systematic review and current status. LVHN Scholarly Works. Retrieved from https://scholarlyworks.lvhn.org/research-historical-works/47
DOI: 10.1111/jce.15132