The role of echocardiography in percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion

Abstract

Percutaneous device closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) has been introduced in the last decade as a minimally invasive alternative treatment to long-term anticoagulation to reduce the risk of thrombo-embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. Echocardiography is an essential tool at all stages of the procedure. Pre-procedural echocardiography is used to screen suitable candidates and to define LAA morphology and dimension; peri-procedural transoesophageal or intracardiac echocardiography has a major role in guiding, delivery, and deployment of the device, for screening of procedural complications and for assessing procedural success; and post-procedural echocardiography is important in the surveillance and monitoring of long-term outcome. This article aims to outline the role of echocardiography at each stage of LAA occlusion.