Incidence, predictors and outcomes of device‐related thrombus after left atrial appendage closure with the WATCHMAN device—Insights from the EWOLUTION real world registry

Background In this analysis of the EWOLUTION registry, we evaluated the incidence, relevance and predictors of device‐related thrombus in a large multi‐center real‐world cohort undergoing LAAc with the WATCHMAN device. Methods and Results We analyzed the 835 patients who underwent percutaneous LAA closure with the WATCHMAN device in the EWOLUTION registry in whom at least one TEE follow up was performed. Patients were 74 ± 9 y/o and were at high risk for stroke and bleeding (CHA2DS2‐VASC‐Score 4.3 ± 1.7; HAS‐BLED‐Score 2.3 ± 1.2). Device‐related thrombus was detected in 4.1% (34/835) after a median of 54 days (IQR 42–111 days) with 91.2% (31/34) being detected within 3 months after the procedure or at the time of first TEE. Hereby DRT occurred irrespective of postprocedural anticoagulation. Patients with DRT more frequently had long‐standing, non‐paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (82.4 vs. 64.9%, p