Resumo

MARTINEZ, Alejandro et al. Percutaneous closure of Left Atrial Appendage with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug Device in patients with atrial fibrillation: Preliminary data. Rev Chil Cardiol [online]. 2010, vol.29, n.1, pp. 146-154. ISSN 0718-8560.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-85602010000100013.

Embolic Stroke is a major concern in patients with atrial fibrillation. Anticoagulant therapy is the preferred tool to prevent this complication, but some patients have contraindications to anticoagulation. Most of the thrombus originates at the left atrial appendage (LAA), so the closure of LAA could prevent embolization of thrombus. Three patients with high embolic risk and contraindication to anticoagulant therapy were treated at our institution with an occlude device of the LAA (Amplatzer Cardiac Plug). Implantation of the device was successful in all the patients; one had a hem pericardium and underwent pericardiocentesis without further consequences. Patients were discharged without anticoagulants. After 6 months of follow-up, no embolic complications have been reported. In this preliminary experience, we report the feasibility of the closure of LAA with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug Device.