Left atrial appendage perforation with Watchman device implantation: Strategies for surgical repair.

Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage is increasingly being used as an alternative for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation at high risk of complications from long term anticoagulation. We describe a case of left atrial appendage perforation during Watchman device implantation requiring emergency repair of the left atrium using sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. Technical considerations for surgical decision making are discussed; in hemodynamically unstable patients as well as those at high risk for embolization.