Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion for Stroke Prevention

More than 2.3 millions adults in the United States have atrial fibrillation (AF), which exposes them to a 5- fold increased risk of stroke. The left atrial appendage (LAA) appears to be the source of thrombus formation in the vast majority of these patients. Anticoagulation significantly reduces the risk of stroke, but often we encounter patients who have absolute or relative contraindication to anticoagulation. Percutaneous LAA exclusion offers an alternative to anticoagulation to decrease the risk of stroke.
Source: Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research