Apnea Management During WATCHMAN Device Deployment with Apneic Oxygenation: A Case Report of Three Cases

WATCHMAN is a percutaneous left atrial appendage closure device that is implanted in patients who are unsuitable for anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation. During WATCHMAN implantation, inducing apnea in the patient is preferable to allow stable deployment. We present three cases in which apneic oxygenation was employed to maintain oxygenation during apnea, and oxygen reserve index (ORi™) was measured to evaluate its safety and efficacy. Oxygen was administered continuously via the endotracheal tube during apnea. During all four apneic events in three patients (mean duration of 356 seconds), the ORi values maintained above 0.24, which is generally considered the threshold of partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO(2)) > 100 mmHg. Transcutaneous oxygen saturation and PaO(2) remained above 99% and 300 mmHg, respectively. There were no respiratory or circulatory complications during or after the surgery.