Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

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

84.6K

Does left atrial appendage ligation during coronary bypass surgery decrease the incidence of postoperative stroke?

Yen-Yi Juo1, Katherine Lee Bailey2, Young-Ji Seo2

  • 1Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif; Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC.

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|April 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Surgical left atrial appendage ligation did not reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The study found no significant association between this procedure and lower postoperative stroke incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation is a common comorbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
  • Stroke is a significant risk following CABG, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation.
  • Left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation is a surgical technique sometimes employed to reduce stroke risk in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between surgical left atrial appendage ligation and in-hospital stroke incidence.
  • To assess the impact of LAA ligation on stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing CABG.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2008-2014).
  • Included patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent CABG, categorized into LAA ligation or control groups.
  • Propensity score-weighted regression analyses were used to assess outcomes.

Main Results:

  • A total of 234,642 patients were analyzed; 8.81% underwent LAA ligation.
  • The national postoperative stroke incidence was 0.92%.
  • LAA ligation was not significantly associated with reduced postoperative stroke (OR, 0.83; P=.35), pericardial complications (OR, 1.15; P=.31), hemorrhage (OR, 1.08; P=.07), mortality (OR, 1.29; P=.06), or altered length of stay (P=.08).

Conclusions:

  • Postoperative stroke risk after CABG in atrial fibrillation patients is low (~1%).
  • Concomitant LAA ligation during CABG was not associated with a lower risk of postoperative stroke.
  • No specific CHA2DS2-VASc score threshold demonstrated a benefit of LAA ligation for reducing stroke risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
atrial fibrillationcoronary artery bypass graftleft atrial appendagestroke

More Related Videos

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

34.2K
Surgical Swine Model of Chronic Cardiac Ischemia Treated by Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery09:12

Surgical Swine Model of Chronic Cardiac Ischemia Treated by Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Published on: March 27, 2018

10.0K

Related Concept Videos

Decreasing Function01:27

Decreasing Function

A decreasing function describes a relationship where the output consistently declines as the input increases. This means that for any two input values, if one is greater than the other, the corresponding output is smaller. Mathematically, a function f is decreasing on an interval I if for every x1 < x2​ in I, f (x1) > f (x2). This type of behavior is visually identified on a graph that slopes downward from left to right.The nature of a function can be analyzed by calculating...
312
Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
1.9K
Surface Appendages of Archaea01:23

Surface Appendages of Archaea

Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...
688
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by...
1.1K
Decreased pulse rate01:14

Decreased pulse rate

Bradycardia is a medical condition in which the heart rate is slower than normal. It occurs when the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinus node, generates slower electrical impulses than the standard rhythm. In adults, bradycardia is diagnosed when the pulse rate falls below 60 beats per minute, indicating a deviation from the normal heart rate range.
There are specific risk factors that can elevate the likelihood of developing bradycardia. Advanced age is a significant factor, with...
933
Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report01:21

Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report

An Incident or Occurrence Report in a healthcare setting is a crucial document used to record any unexpected occurrence that may or may not have affected a patient, employee, or visitor. Such reports are critical to improving patient safety and include all details leading up to and including the event.
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
1.3K