INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY, cilt.168, sa.4, ss.3996-4001, 2013 (SCI-Expanded)
Objectives:
The study evaluated the feasibility and safety of a novel left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder (LAmbre™,
Lifetech Scienti
fic Corp., China) in canines.
Background:
Transcatheter LAA occlusion is comparable towarfarin in preventing atrial fibrillation-related strokes.
Methods:
Twenty-two healthy dogs (28 ± 3 kg) received LAmbre implants. The device is delivered by an
8
–10 French sheath and has full recapture and repositioning capabilities. All dogs received 1-week antibiotics
and 4-week aspirin (80 mg daily) after implants and they were sacri
ficed in groups at Days 1–3
(n = 5), 1- (n = 7), 3- (n = 4) and 6-months (n = 6) for pathological examinations. Transthoracic
echocardiography (TTE) was performed immediately after implant, at Day 3 and before sacri
fice.
Results:
The LAmbre was successfully implanted, retrieved, repositioned and re-implanted in all dogs. The
mean implant size was 24 ± 3 mm and the device chosen was 36 ± 7% larger than the measured landing
zone diameter. Improper device selection (only 21% oversizing) resulted in dislodgement and death of 1
dog on Day 3. Post-implant angiography and TTE showed well-positioned device without pericardial
effusion or impingement on surrounding structures. Late complications included device-related thrombus at
1 month (n = 1) and clinically insigni
ficant pericardial effusion at Day 3 (n = 1). Complete healing on the atrial
facing surface with optimal LAA obliteration was con
firmed by gross andmicroscopic examinations in dogs that
have been followed up
≥3 months (n=10). No infarctwas detected inmajor organs.
Conclusions:
Our preliminary data suggested the LAmbre™ device is feasible with high success rate in canines.
Further studies are needed to evaluate its safety and ef
ficacy.