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Updated: Feb 11, 2026
23:33
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
84.6K
Current State of Left Atrial Appendage Closure
Ricardo Kosturakis1, Matthew J Price2
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Scripps Clinic, 9898 Genesee Avenue, AMP-200, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
Current Cardiology Reports
|April 23, 2018
Summary
Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) offers a non-drug stroke prevention method for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Studies show LAAC is as effective as blood thinners with less bleeding, making it a viable alternative.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia and a leading cause of stroke.
- Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) provides a non-pharmacologic stroke prevention strategy for AF patients.
- Increasing prevalence of AF necessitates effective stroke prevention methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale and evidence for LAAC in stroke prevention.
- To describe current transcatheter approaches for LAAC.
- To summarize recent randomized trials and data on LAAC efficacy and safety.
Main Methods:
- Review of randomized clinical trials and prospective observational studies.
- Meta-analysis of existing clinical trial data.
- Analysis of recent outcomes following commercial approval and in specific patient populations.
Main Results:
- Transcatheter LAAC shows similar stroke rates to vitamin K antagonists but with significantly less bleeding.
- Recent studies indicate improved procedural safety of LAAC.
- LAAC is a potential alternative for patients unable to tolerate long-term oral anticoagulation.
Conclusions:
- LAAC is an effective and safe alternative for stroke prevention in select AF patients.
- Further research is needed to compare LAAC with newer anticoagulants and evaluate different devices.
- LAAC may be suitable for patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulation, though more data is required.
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