LAUSR

BACKGROUND Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has been an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). OBJECTIVES To report the first results of an initial multicenter experience in Brazil and to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of LAA closure with the new LAmbre device. METHODS We collected procedural and follow-up data of 51 consecutive patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, restrictions for long-term OAC and suitable anatomy that underwent LAA closure with the LAmbre device in 18 centers in Brazil. Procedural indications were significant bleeding under OAC (47.1%), stroke or persistent LAA thrombus despite OAC (27.5%), bleeding plus stroke (17.6%), other clinical contraindications for OAC (5.9%), and patient's choice due to sports practice (1.9%). RESULTS Twenty-five men (49%) and 26 women (51%), with a mean age of 76±7.7 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 4.6± 1.7 and mean HAS-BLED score of 3.4± 1.1 were studied. Procedural success rate was 100%. Procedure-related immediate complications were pericardial effusion in two patients, and immediate device embolization in one case. No large residual shunts (> 5 mm) were observed, and small shunts (<5mm) were detected in four patients by color Doppler at the end of the procedure. After a mean follow-up of 18 ± 12 months, there were no deaths, strokes nor any other major complications. CONCLUSION LAA occlusion with the LAmbre device was safe and effective in this small case series. Despite these encouraging initial results, the small number of cases warrants further studies with longer-term follow-up.