Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Left atrial appendage occlusion
David R Holmes1, Kasper Korsholm2, Josep Rodés-Cabau3
1Department of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Insights
Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) offers a new stroke prevention strategy for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This review covers LAAO
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Stroke prevention is a major health priority, with identified high-risk patient groups.
- Established interventions include anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation and revascularization for carotid disease.
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an emerging option for specific non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients.
Approach:
- This review focuses on LAAO for NVAF patients.
- It examines the pathophysiology, patient selection, and procedural aspects of LAAO.
- Outcomes, adjunctive therapies, complications, and long-term results are evaluated.
Key Points:
- LAAO is a percutaneous procedure targeting the left atrial appendage to prevent stroke.
- Patient selection is crucial for successful LAAO outcomes.
- The review synthesizes current evidence on LAAO efficacy and safety.
Conclusions:
- LAAO represents a significant advancement in stroke prevention for NVAF.
- Understanding LAAO's role, risks, and benefits is essential for clinical practice.
- Further research will refine LAAO indications and optimize patient management.
Abstract:
Prevention of stroke represents a goal of primary importance in health systems due to its associated morbidity and mortality. As several patient groups with increased stroke rates have been identified, multiple approaches have been developed and implemented: oral anticoagulation (OAC) for patients with atrial fibrillation, surgical and percutaneous revascularisation in patients with carotid disease, device closure for patients with patent foramen ovale, and now, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) for selected patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The latter group of patients are the focus of this review which evaluates the pathophysiology, selection of patients, procedural performance, outcomes of treatment both during and post-procedure, adjunctive therapy, complications, and longer-term outcomes.
