3.4 Adverse events
One patient in TEE group had an ischemic stroke 2 days after the
procedure. Severe stenosis basilar artery was found as the cause of the
stroke event. One patient in TEE group who received combined procedure
developed delayed pericardial effusion, requiring pericardiocentesis at
18th day after the operation. Minor complication
including a pseudoaneurysm at left femoral puncture site in 1 patient
with combined treatment in ICE group. No other serious complication was
observed during 2 months follow-up.
Discussion
4.1 Main findings
This study is the first to our knowledge to demonstrate the safety and
feasibility of a systematic ICE protocol (“FLAVOR” approach) in
achieving consistent, high quality, multi-planar echocardiographic
imaging for guiding LAAC under local anesthesia. This novel approach did
not compromise patients’ peri-procedural and short-term outcomes and it
collected better comprehensive multi-angled imaging information than TEE
with additional advantages of less radiation and contrast use.