[Percutaneous elimination of the left atrium appendage - who and when to qualify?]

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAAO) is an alternative therapeutic option for the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation who, for various reasons, do not qualify for longterm treatment with oral anticoagulants. Despite the high percentage of implantation success and an acceptable percentage of surgical complications, this method is not a procedure of choice but only a treatment option in a selected group of patients. Randomized trials have shown that LAAO is as effective as warfarin in preventing stroke, systemic embolism or cardiovascular death.