title: Clinical outcomes three years after PLAATO implantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion system (PLAATO) is an alternative to coumadin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and contraindications to anticoagulation. It appears to be protective against stroke in intermediate follow-up studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The PLAATO system is protective against stroke and is safe in long-term follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients (age 72 +/- 9 years) enrolled in the PLAATO feasibility and safety trial at our institution were followed (36 +/- 1.4) months. All patients had contraindications to anticoagulation and had at least one risk factor for stroke. The predicted stroke risk for this cohort was 8.6% per year as calculated using the CHADS2 score (A validated scoring system assigning 1 point for CHF, hypertension, diabetes, and age >75 years, and 2 points for history of stroke). The primary end-point was the incidence of stroke, and secondary end points were complications related to PLAATO device and systemic embolic events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was one stroke during follow-up; the stroke risk in our population was 3% per year. Interestingly, the observed stroke risk in these patients after occluding the left atrial appendage is comparable to what would have been observed with warfarin. No systemic embolic events were noted in our cohort and no long term complications related to PLAATO were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PLAATO device decreases the risk of stroke in a high-risk cohort of AF patients. Furthermore, the safety of this device is confirmed during this long-term follow-up study. A larger trial is needed to validate these findings.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Mikhael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: El-Chami
authors.forename: Parker
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grow
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eilen
authors.forename: Stamatios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lerakis
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Block
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D021721:Balloon Occlusion; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome