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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Interventional treatments for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation with emphasis upon the WATCHMAN device

Sven Möbius-Winkler1, Gerhard C Schuler, Peter B Sick

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, Universität Leipzig, Herzzentrum GmbH, Leipzig, Germany. moes@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

Current Opinion in Neurology
|January 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Left atrial appendage occlusion devices offer a safe and feasible alternative for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients ineligible for warfarin. Ongoing trials aim to confirm noninferiority to oral anticoagulation, potentially expanding therapeutic options.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices
  • Stroke Prevention

Background:

  • Stroke is a significant cause of death and disability, with atrial fibrillation being a common contributing factor.
  • Current guidelines recommend warfarin for thromboembolism prevention in atrial fibrillation, but many patients cannot tolerate this therapy.
  • Excluding the left atrial appendage from circulation presents an alternative stroke prevention strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review devices designed for percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of the left atrial appendage.
  • To evaluate the safety and feasibility of these devices for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies on the PLAATO (Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Transcatheter Occlusion) device.
  • Review of studies on the WATCHMAN device.
  • Analysis of safety and feasibility data from patient cohorts.

Main Results:

  • The PLAATO device has been implanted in approximately 200 high-risk patients unsuitable for oral anticoagulation.
  • The WATCHMAN device has been implanted in 75 patients with moderate stroke risk due to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
  • Both devices demonstrated safety, feasibility, and a reduction in stroke risk.

Conclusions:

  • Left atrial appendage occlusion devices are safe and feasible for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
  • These devices offer an alternative for patients unable to use oral anticoagulation.
  • Further trials are needed to establish noninferiority to oral anticoagulation, potentially broadening treatment options.
Abstract

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