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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for cerebrovascular accident prevention: rationale, indications, technical
Giuseppe D'Ancona1, Ulrike Ketterer2, Stephan Kische1
1Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum Am Urban & im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany & Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
Insights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at high risk for stroke can consider left atrial appendage closure. This procedure offers an alternative to oral anticoagulation, reducing risks associated with blood thinners.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder.
- Thromboembolism is a major complication of AF.
- Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is standard but has risks like bleeding and interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale, indications, and outcomes of left atrial appendage closure.
- To discuss the WATCHMAN device as an alternative for patients with AF and contraindications to OAC.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on left atrial appendage closure.
- Focus on the WATCHMAN device for percutaneous closure.
Main Results:
- Left atrial appendage closure is a viable option for select AF patients.
- The WATCHMAN device has demonstrated clinical efficacy in reducing thromboembolic events.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure is an important therapeutic option.
- It provides an alternative for high-risk AF patients unsuitable for OAC.
Abstract:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The most feared complication of AF is thromboembolism. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is the standard treatment to reduce thromboembolism occurrence in patients with AF. The rate of relevant bleeding, medical interactions and incompliance under OAC remains consistent. In this context, patients with AF at high risk for thromboembolism and with a contraindication to OAC may be considered as candidates for percutaneous left atrial appendage closure. In this review, we discuss the rationale, indications, technical aspects and clinical results of left atrial appendage closure by means of the WATCHMAN® (Boston Scientific, MA, USA) device.
