IMPLANTATION OF WATCHMAN DEVICE TO CLOSE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE USING LEFT FEMORAL VEIN APPROACH

Abstract

An 83 years old patient with permanent Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and bleedingdisorders was referred for Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) closure. The LAAclosure device was successfully implanted using the left femoral vein approachas the right femoral vein was occluded. The trans septal puncture andimplantation of the LAA closure device were guided by fluoroscopic andtransesophageal echocardiographic images. There were no complications.Trans septal puncture guided by a combination of fluoroscopic andtransesophageal echocardiographic imaging can be safely carried out using theleft femoral vein approach as an alternative option when the right femoral vein isnot accessible.