Clinical Protocol for Selecting Intracardiac or Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) provides an effective alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) to reduce stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).1,2 Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been the standard for LAAO guidance, but intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) use is increasing.3-5 Benefits of TEE include its familiarity to cardiologists, excellent image quality, and reproducibility.6 Conversely, ICE eliminates the need for general anesthesia with its associated complications and coordination while improving patient comfort.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research