Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: An Update of Techniques with Focus on the Role of Cardiac CT in Pre and Post Intervention Management

The purpose of this review is to examine the application of various devices used in Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) and to explore the critical role of computed tomography (CT) imaging in the preprocedural planning and postprocedural evaluation of LAAO.

Recent findings indicate that multiple devices have been developed for LAAO. Despite these advancements, the deployment of these devices can result in life threatening complications that necessitate careful attention and diagnosis through advanced imaging modalities.

LAAO is a sophisticated procedure aimed at minimizing the stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, LAAO device deployment can lead to complications that require precise imaging diagnosis. CT imaging is particularly vital for pre-LAAO planning and post-LAAO complication management. This paper reviews the use of various LAAO devices and the essential role of CT imaging in ensuring procedural success, device selection and placement, and patient safety.