The ICE WATCHMAN Trial

Overview

The aim of this multi-center study will be to assess the feasibility and safety of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion with the WATCHMAN™ device using a standardized intra-procedural intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) protocol under moderate sedation for procedural guidance. By eliminating the need for general anesthesia, the hope is to show a reduction in procedural time, decrease use of supplemental invasive procedures (central venous line, invasive arterial pressure monitoring and transesophageal echocardiography) and quicker patient recovery time. This approach can decrease healthcare resource utilization and safely simplify left atrial appendage closure with the WATCHMAN device.

The study will be a prospective, non-randomized multicenter registry of 100 patients undergoing LAA closure with the WATCHMAN device (possibly with WATCHMAN FLX when approved) utilizing an intra-procedural ICE probe under moderate sedation. The primary feasibility endpoint will be ability to successfully implant the WATCHMAN device. Implant success is defined as confirmation of the device-specified release PASS (Position, Anchor, Size, Seal) criteria, successful device release, and adequate seal (defined as a residual leak \<5 mm) as assessed by a core lab interpretation of the TEE 45 days post-implant. The primary safety endpoint will be a composite of major complications (major bleeding \[intracranial bleeding, or bleeding requiring blood transfusion\], pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis or surgery, device embolization, procedural-related stroke, or procedural related death). Additional measured end points will be: freedom from conversion to general anesthesia and/or standard TEE during implant, the incidence and the size of iatrogenic atrial septal defect on 45 day TEE. The ICE procedural images will also be collected and analyzed by an independent committee composed of non-implanting interventionalist, and an imaging specialist. The images will be graded in quality as optimal (TEE equivalent), acceptable (adequate but not as detailed as TEE), and inadequate. This prospective study, along with its endpoints will be registered in clinicaltrials.gov.

Conditions