# Management of device embolization following left atrial appendage closure: Two cases and a review of the literature

## TL;DR

Device embolization after heart closure is rare but serious, and can be effectively managed with specialized retrieval techniques.

## Contribution

Presents two cases and a literature review on managing device embolization after left atrial appendage closure.

## Key findings

- Device embolization occurs in 0.6%–1.5% of left atrial appendage closure cases.
- Percutaneous retrieval techniques show high success rates when performed by experienced operators.
- Surgical retrieval is an alternative for complex device embolization cases.

## Abstract

Device embolization (DE) following left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a severe but uncommon complication, and limited data address optimal management strategies for this condition. This review presents two cases of device embolization (DE) following LAAC and discusses risk factors, incidence, and management strategies through a literature‐based approach.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted, including studies focused on DE after LAAC, examining percutaneous and surgical retrieval techniques, procedural success, and patient outcomes.

DE incidence ranges from 0.6% to 1.5%, with improper device sizing and anatomical factors as primary risk factors. Percutaneous retrieval, through transseptal or transarterial approaches, demonstrates high procedural success rates, while surgical retrieval remains an option for complex cases. Our review suggests that with experienced operators, tailored percutaneous strategies effectively manage DE following LAAC.

Device embolization following left atrial appendage closure occurs in 0.6%–1.5% of cases and represents a rare but serious complication that can be effectively managed through tailored percutaneous retrieval strategies with high procedural success rates when performed by experienced operators.