Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Preprocedural and Postprocedural CT Imaging Can Identify Patients at Risk for Complications After LAA Occlusion
Authors' conclusion
Smaller LAA ostial dimensions and greater device compression (postimplant area change) on CCT were associated with fewer complications post-LAAO. Favorable preimplant LAA ostial morphology seems to be oval shaped and of smaller size. These characteristics could be helpful in predicting better postimplant outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Patients who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with Watchman FLX between November 2022 and January 2025 and had both preimplant and postimplant cardiac computed tomography (CCT)
- Participants
- 165 patients
- Exposure
- Patients with vs without adverse events within 90 days
- Those with eventsn = 40
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adverse events:
- Peri-device leak
- Device-related thrombus
- Transient ischemic attack/stroke
Adverse events
40 patients
24.2%
Peri-device leaks
32
Device-related thrombi
9
Transient ischemic attack
1
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean left atrial pressure
Pre-CCT minimum ostial diameter
| Outcome | Those with events | Without events |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-CCT LAA ostium maximum diameter | 26.6 | 23.5 |
| Postimplant area change | 66.5 mm² | 136.9 mm² |
- Mean left atrial pressure: P = 0.03
- Pre-CCT LAA ostium maximum diameter: P < 0.001
- Pre-CCT minimum ostial diameter: P < 0.001
- Postimplant area change: P < 0.001
Original publication
Preprocedural and Postprocedural CT Imaging Can Identify Patients at Risk for Complications After LAA Occlusion. JACC Adv. Published 7 February 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it