Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure devices have been developed as a non-pharmacologic alternative to oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).1 Vascular access site complications following percutaneous LAA closure are infrequent,2,3 but may be associated with serious consequences.

We present the case of a patient with a high-output fistula between the right superficial femoral artery and femoral vein after LAA closure successfully treated with a PK-Papyrus covered coronary stent using a 6F guiding catheter. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time a PK-Papyrus coronary stent has been used in this setting.

An 86-year-old female patient with NVAF, high risk of stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc score of 5) and contraindication to OAC therapy (previous hemorrhagic stroke), underwent percutaneous closure of the LAA with an Amulet device (AGA/St. Jude Medical, Minneapolis, MN). The procedure was performed under general anesthesia, with fluoroscopic and two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. The right femoral vein was cannulated using the Seldinger technique and a transseptal puncture was performed with a Mullins sheath and Brockenbrough needle. A 20 mm Amulet occluder device was successfully deployed (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

(A) Left atrial appendage (LAA) size by biplane two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TEE); (B) LAA size by angiography (windsock morphology); (C) three-dimensional TEE showing complete occlusion of the LAA with the Amulet device (red asterisk); (D) angiography showing complete occlusion of the LAA with the Amulet device (red asterisk).

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At the end of the procedure after manual compression, prolonged pulsatile bleeding by the femoral venous access was observed. A control angiography obtained from the contralateral (left) femoral artery revealed a high-output fistula between the right superficial femoral artery and femoral vein (Figure 2A). After discussion with the vascular team the decision was made to implant a covered stent. A 26 mm×4.5 mm PK-Papyrus covered coronary stent (Biotronik, Bülach, Switzerland) was inserted via the left femoral artery and deployed at the arteriovenous (AV) fistula using a 6F multipurpose catheter (Cordis Corporation) and a coronary guidewire (Balanced Heavyweight, Abbott Vascular Inc.). At final angiography, complete sealing of the AV fistula was documented (Figure 2B).

Figure 2.

(A) Angiography obtained from the contralateral femoral artery (left) revealing a high-output arteriovenous fistula between the right superficial femoral artery and femoral vein (white asterisk); (B) angiography after implantation of a 26 mm×4.5 mm PK-Papyrus covered coronary stent (white asterisk) revealing complete sealing of the AV fistula. DFA: deep femoral artery; FV: femoral vein; SFA: superficial femoral artery.

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The patient was discharged after 48 hours without complications. Six months after the procedure, she was asymptomatic and Doppler ultrasonography of the right femoral segment was normal.

Percutaneous LAA closure is a demonstrated alternative strategy to OAC therapy for stroke prophylaxis in patients with NVAF.1 Vascular access site complications (perforations, pseudoaneurysms or AV fistulas) following percutaneous LAA closure are infrequent,2,3 but require immediate assessment and management and may be associated with adverse outcomes.

These vascular complications can be treated percutaneously using covered stents with high technical success, thus avoiding high-risk urgent vascular surgery.4–6 To the best of our knowledge this is the first time a PK-Papyrus coronary stent has been used in this setting.

The PK-Papyrus covered coronary stent is a sixth-generation bare-metal stent made of a cobalt-chromium alloy, which allows for thinner struts while still maintaining optimal radial strength and radiopacity. The polyurethane membrane covering the stent is only 90 μm thick. The wide size range (diameter 2.5-5.0 mm, length 15-26 mm) enables a broad range of vessels to be treated confidently and efficiently. Many current covered stents designed for peripheral interventions require large guiding catheters to be deployed. The PK-Papyrus stent is compatible with 5F- and 6F-guiding catheters (recommended sizes are 5F for 2.5-4.0 mm stents and 6F for 4.5-5.0 mm stents), and thus may reduce vascular complications related to the large (>6F) catheters and sheaths frequently used in these interventions. In addition, the techniques and materials used for the implantation of a PK-Papyrus covered stent in a peripheral segment are the same as used in coronary interventions.

AV fistulas following percutaneous LAA closure are infrequent, but may associated with adverse outcomes. The PK-Papyrus covered coronary stent can be a good choice for percutaneous treatment of these complications.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.