A new tool in the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients suffering atrial fibrillation - catheter-assisted occlusion of the left atrial auricle by the PLAATO system: Preliminary experience in the Czech Republic

Overview

Embolic cerebral stroke is among the most serious complications in patients suffering atrial fibrillation. In many studies it has been demonstrated that long-term anti-coagulation therapy has markedly lowered the risk of thromboembolic complications, however, due to the complicated monitoring of the effects of treatment with warfarin, it is not being applied sufficiently at present. It is a known fact that in fibrillation the majority of thrombi originate in the left atrial auricle of the heart. In patients especially prone to high risk of systemic thromboembolic complications there can now be applied a new and already verified approach – catheter-assisted occlusion of the left atrial auricle with a balloon occluder. It is advantagenous namely in patients having high risk of hemorrhage complications connected with long-term anti-coagulation therapy, in cases of ineffective therapy with frequent fluctuation of prothrombin time values, or in insufficient cooperation of the patient. Our preliminary experience supports the introduction of this new method as a safe and very effective treatment in patients suffering atrial fibrillation when other procedures affecting the high risk of thromboembolism had failed.

Key words:
cerebral hemorrhage – thromboembolism – atrial fibrillation – catheter-assisted occlusion of the left atrial auricle.