Like the PLAATO, the WATCHMAN occludes the LAA lumen.
Neuzil et al., "PLAATO (Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Transcatheter Occlusion) for prevention of cardioembolic stroke in non-anticoagulation eligible atrial fibrillation patients: results from the European PLAATO study," EuroIntervention, vol.
Unlike the PLAATO device, the fabric of the Watchman device is permeable to blood (9).
The Amplatzer septal occluder uses a simpler technique than the PLAATO technique.
The
PLAATO device was implanted in 94 of the 99 patients.
In extensive canine studies and a few humans treated to date,
PLAATO has achieved excellent sealing and healing of the ostium of the left atrial appendage, Dr.