Thromboembolism Prevention via Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Closure with Transeosophageal Echocardiography Guidance
Figure 1
Devices for percutaneous transcatheter LAA closure. (a) The PLAATO (ev3 Endovascular, Inc., North Plymouth, MN, USA) device was the first transcatheter LAA occlusion device implanted percutaneously in patients with atrial fibrillation. (b) The WATCHMAN (Atritech Inc.) LAA occlusion system consists of a parachute-shaped device with a self-expanding nitinol frame structure with a permeable polyester membrane over the atrial side and mid-perimeter fixation barbs to secure it in the LAA. (c) The Amplatzer cardiac plug (AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, MN, USA) device consists of two bodies: a distal anchoring lobe and a proximal sealing disc linked via a flexible central waist.
