Surgical repair of an uncontrolled thrombus caused by the Watchman device

Abstract

A device-related thrombus is a very common complication after the implantation of a Watchman device. Although anticoagulation therapy is the standard first choice therapy for a device-related thrombus, complications related to bleeding or existence of non-responders to the anticoagulation therapy are reported. Therefore, the possibility of another treatment, including surgical repair, needs to be discussed in the population unsuccessfully treated with anticoagulation therapy. We performed device-related thrombus removal and covered the orifice of the left atrial appendage with an autologous pericardial patch in 2 cases involving non-responders to anticoagulation therapy. Herein, we describe the technique and results of our experience with these 2 patients. The covering technique with an autologous pericardial patch is simple but highly efficient in preventing recurrent thrombus formation.