Left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion is the cornerstone of stroke prevention in surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Still, little is known about the direct hemodynamic consequences of LAA closure. In the current pilot study, where we aimed to evaluate these consequences in patients undergoing hybrid AF ablation with LAA exclusion by an atrial clip, seven patients were included. Hemodynamic and intracardiac pressure measurements such as systemic, pulmonary artery (PA), central venous and LA pressure, cardiac output and indexed left ventricular stroke volume (LVSVi) were measured directly before (T0) and after (T1), and 10 minutes after (T2) LAA closure. We found no differences between all timepoints for LA pressure, PA pressure and LVSVi. As such, this is the first study describing the direct hemodynamic consequences of LAA exclusion. LAA exclusion by use of an atrial clip is safe and does not directly affect hemodynamic and intracardiac pressures.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Left Atrial Ejection Fraction; Left Atrial Strain; Natriuretic Peptides; Radiofrequency Ablation.