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Updated: Jul 23, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
[Early to Long-term Results of Left Atrial Appendage Closure Using Clip Device in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation]
Hidetomi Takahashi1, Akihiro Yoshimoto, Yoshiki Yamasaki
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tsukuba Memorial Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.
Insights
Oral anticoagulants pose risks for atrial fibrillation patients. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAO) using the AtriClip device shows promising early and long-term results for stroke prevention, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Stroke Prevention
Context:
- Atrial fibrillation necessitates stroke prevention strategies.
- Oral anticoagulants carry risks like recurrent stroke and bleeding.
- Surgical options include left atrial appendage closure (LAAO) and resection (LAAR).
Purpose:
- To evaluate the early and long-term outcomes of AtriClip-based LAAO.
- To assess AtriClip as an alternative stroke prevention method for atrial fibrillation patients.
Summary:
- The study investigated left atrial appendage closure (LAAO) using the AtriClip device in patients with atrial fibrillation.
- Early and long-term results demonstrated stable outcomes with AtriClip.
- AtriClip may be a viable option for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
Impact:
- Suggests AtriClip as a potential alternative to oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
- Highlights the need for continued research into LAAO efficacy and safety.
- Provides data on the clinical performance of a specific LAAO device.
Abstract:
Oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation are the standard approach to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, oral anticoagulant therapy carries the risk of cerebral infarction recurrence, not to mention hemorrhagic complications, even under appropriate drug therapy. Surgical treatments targeting the left atrial appendage include left atrial appendage closure( LAAO) and left atrial appendage resection (LAAR). Our hospital uses AtriClip (approved and available in Japan since 2018) as a device for LAAO, and we investigated the early and long-term results of LAAO using AtriClip in our hospital. As a result, stable early to long-term results were expected for left atrial appendage closure using AtriClip device, suggesting that it may be an option that can be considered as a method for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. But further investigation is required in the future.
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