Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
[Interventional prevention of ischemic stroke]
1Unité de cathétérisme cardiaque, service d'explorations fonctionnelles, centre hospitalier Henri-Mondor, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France.
Insights
Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation is crucial. Left atrial appendage closure offers a promising alternative to anticoagulation for patients at high risk of stroke or bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Devices
Context:
- Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death, necessitating effective prevention strategies.
- Atrial fibrillation significantly increases stroke risk, requiring careful patient management.
- Current treatments like anticoagulation have limitations for certain patient groups.
Purpose:
- To review the role of left atrial appendage percutaneous closure as an alternative stroke prevention strategy.
- To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of devices like WATCHMAN(©), PLAATO, and AmplatzerCardiacPlug™.
- To discuss the implications of studies like PROTECT-AF and ongoing clinical evaluations.
Summary:
- Left atrial appendage (LAA) percutaneous closure is an emerging interventional treatment for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
- Devices such as WATCHMAN(©) have demonstrated non-inferiority to warfarin in preventing thromboembolic events.
- Risk stratification using CHA(2)DS(2)VASc and HASBLED scores guides treatment decisions.
Impact:
- Provides a potential alternative for patients unsuitable for or experiencing complications with anticoagulation.
- Offers a new therapeutic avenue to reduce the burden of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.
- Highlights the need for further research to define optimal patient selection for LAA closure.
Abstract:
Stroke is an extremely common condition, the important functional and financial impact of which requires intense prevention policy. This strategy includes the prevention of thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation. The management of atrial fibrillation includes risk stratification for stroke with theCHA(2)DS(2)VASc score and assessment of hemorrhagic risk with HASBLED score. The reference preventive treatment is anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists. Nevertheless, many patients potentially eligible for this treatment will not benefit from it, because of a high risk of bleeding, or because recurrence of thromboembolism occurs despite well-conducted anticoagulation. A new alternative intrventional treatment has been proposed for these clinical situations: left atrial appendage percutaneous closure. Several studies examined the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of three devices: the device PLAATO the WATCHMAN(©), and AmplatzerCardiacPlug™. The prospective multicenter randomized PROTECT-AF study demonstrated non-inferiority of the WATCHMAN(©) device compared to conventional warfarin therapy. Yet a medical reflection is still needed to determine the target population which may actually benefit from interventional treatment. Currently, clinical evaluation programs have begun in France with the aim to clarify the indication of non-drug preventive treatment of stroke.
Related Concept Videos
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Atherosclerosis III: Management

