Late presentation of left atrial appendage erosion and perforation by an Amplatzer™ Amulet™ closure device: a case report

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure may reduce the risk of cardioembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Given the prophylactic nature of the procedure, identifying and managing complications are paramount. CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old man presented 14 months after percutaneous LAA closure with syncope and acute pericardial tamponade which required surgical exploration and haemostasis; the most temporally remote account of this complication albeit amongst very few case reports. Tissue erosion by the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ LAA closure device (Abbott, Plymouth, MN, USA) was noted at two separate anatomical locations, corresponding to the device disc and lobe, which has not been described previously. DISCUSSION: This case report highlights the anatomical relationship between the LAA and its surrounding structures, and the importance of recognizing the risk of late device erosion.