Coherex WAVECREST I Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study

Purpose To establish the safety and efficacy of the Coherex WaveCrest Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion System for left atrial appendage (LAA) closure during treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation in patients who are at increased risk for embolic stroke and have an ongoing indication for oral anticoagulation.

Primary Safety Endpoint The primary safety endpoint is the incidence of major adverse events up to 45 days post-procedure. Major adverse events are defined as life-threatening incidents as determined by the Clinical Events Committee (CEC) and include events such as device embolization; cardiac injury, re-intervention, and/or device-related surgery; bleeding events such as pericardial effusion requiring drainage, cranial bleeding due to any source, gastrointestinal bleeding; or any other event related to the device or the procedure, which requires treatment.

Primary Efficacy Endpoint The primary efficacy endpoint is the incidence of LAA occlusion at 45 and/or 180 days (+ten days) post-procedure. LAA occlusion will be assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) color flow Doppler and will be defined as absence of flow in the LAA or color flow Doppler jets less than 3mm.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:Candidates for this study must meet ALL of the following criteria

1. At least 18 years of age.
2. Diagnosis of paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
3. Indicated for long-term anticoagulation therapy including patients on anticoagulants and patients with a contraindication to anticoagulation. The first 30 patients must have a contraindication to anticoagulation.
4. Eligible for cessation of anticoagulation therapy if the LAA is sealed (i.e., the patient has no other condition requiring anticoagulation therapy).
5. Calculated CHADS score ≥ 1.
6. Willingness to participate in the required follow-up visits and tests.
7. Willingness of patient or legal representative to provide written informed consent.
8. Female subjects of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to the index procedure, and must be willing to use reliable contraception methods for one year post-procedure.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known contraindication and/or allergy to aspirin, clopidogrel, IV contrast, or nickel.
2. Extensive congenital cardiac anomalies, which can only be adequately repaired by cardiac surgery.
3. Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), as diagnosed by a neurologist, within the past 30 days. Patients with a history of stroke or TIA will not be allowed to enroll until 30 days post stroke or TIA have been completed.
4. New York Heart Association Class IV Congestive Heart Failure, defined as patients with severe physical limitations and symptoms even while at rest.
5. Myocardial infarction within the past three months.
6. Sepsis within one month prior to implantation or any systemic infection that cannot be successfully treated prior to device placement.
7. Presence of an atrial septal defect, atrial septal repair, or atrial septal closure device.
8. Female subjects who may be pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant in the next year.
9. Cardioversion or ablation procedure planned in conjunction with or within 30 days after placement of the Coherex WaveCrest Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion System.
10. Cardiac transplant or mechanical valve.
11. Symptomatic carotid artery disease.
12. Any medical disorder or psychiatric illness that would interfere with successful completion of the study as determined by the investigator.
13. Conditions other than atrial fibrillation requiring long-term warfarin therapy.
14. Resting heart rate \> 110 beats per minute (bpm).
15. A single episode of transient atrial fibrillation.
16. Thrombocytopenia (\<50,000 platelets/mm3), thrombocythemia (\>700,000 platelets/mm³), leucopenia (white blood cell count \< 3,000 cells/mm³), or anemia (hemoglobin concentration \< 10 gram per deciliter \[g/dl\]).
17. Currently participating in an investigational drug or another device trial that has not completed the primary endpoint or that clinically interferes with the current trial endpoints. (Trials requiring extended follow-up for products that were investigational, but have since become commercially available, are not considered investigational trials.)
18. Any condition that would reduce life expectancy to less than two years from the date of the index procedure.

Echocardiographic criteria for exclusion:

1. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 30%.
2. Mitral valve stenosis \< 1.5 cm2 or any stenosis consistent with rheumatic valvular disease.
3. Pericardial effusion \> 5 mm pre-procedure.
4. Evidence of intracardiac thrombus visualized on TEE.
5. Presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) that demonstrates a large shunt and/or atrial septal aneurysm with \> 10 mm excursion.
6. Cardiac tumor.