A Case of Combined Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) & Watchman Implant
Through Hepatic Vein in a Patient with Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava
(IVC)
Abstract
Performing afib ablation combined with the placement of the Watchman
device for LAA occlusion has been evaluated before, with results showing
evidence of safety and ability to perform (6). This can save time and
materials allowing patients to have two procedures simultaneously,
preventing repeating exposure to possible risks that come with general
anesthesia and transseptal puncture, and decreasing the total length of
hospital stay (7-8). In this case, especially we proceeded with the
combined procedure due to difficulty in obtaining access associated with
total interruption of IVC and the obligation to use alternative
non-conventional ways as the transhepatic access that may lead to higher
risk upon repeating.