Safety and efficacy of Transcatheter left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a substantial risk of thromboembolic stroke. Although long-term treatment with warfarin or the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants can reduce this risk, such therapy is underutilized, and safe and consistent long-term treatment can be challenging. Transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an emerging alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation. Long-term follow-up of randomized clinical trials demonstrate that Watchman LAA closure provides significant reductions in hemorrhagic stroke, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality compared with continued warfarin therapy.
Source: Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research