Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with prior left atrial appendage occlusion device

The safety and efficacy of CA for AF and left-sided atrial arrhythmias (AA) in patients with left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices are lacking.

This is a single-center retrospective registry that included all patients with prior LAAO who underwent catheter ablation for AF or left-sided atrial arrhythmia from January 2020–January 2023. The primary outcomes were procedure-related complications, device-related complications, AA recurrence, and stroke.

A total of 30 patients with prior LAAO were included in the analysis (mean age 75.1 ± 7.1 years old, 50% male, mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 4 ± 1.6, 46.7% paroxysmal AF, 73.3% had prior AF ablation, mean time to ablation 475 ± 365 days). 93.3% (n = 28) and 6.6% (n = 2) patients had ablation for AF (46.7% paroxysmal, 36.7% persistent, 10% long-standing persistent) and left-sided atrial tachycardia, respectively. 16.7% (n = 5) patients underwent ablation along the left atrial appendage ostium, and 3.3% (n = 1) underwent Vein of Marshall alcohol ablation. There were 3 (10%) peri-procedural complications (1 access hematoma and two pericardial effusions requiring intervention—none related to left atrial appendage ostium or alcohol ablation). During the mean follow-up of 440 ± 379 days, 40% (n = 12) patients had AA recurrence (91.6% AF, 8.3% atrial tachycardia), of which five patients needed repeat ablation, and two patients were readmitted for heart failure. There was no stroke or any device-related complications, including new peri-device leaks or device-related thrombosis in patients who had follow-up imaging studies (n = 11, 36.7%).

Catheter ablation for AF (including VoM alcohol ablation) in patients with prior LAAO devices is feasible and safe with favorable outcomes.