title: Prevention of stroke by percutaneous left atrial appendage closure: short term follow-up.
abstract: Preliminary studies suggest that left atrial appendage (LAA) closure might be beneficial in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We evaluated the preliminary clinical efficacy of percutaneous LAA closure using the PLAATO-device (ev3 Endovascular, Inc., North Plymouth, MN) and found that none of the patients suffered from thrombo-embolic events within a time period of 2 years after successful LAA closure. Therefore, we believe that percutaneous closure of the LAA might be a valuable technique for AF patients with contra-indications for or failure of oral anticoagulation to prevent thrombo-embolic events.
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Meester
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Deyk
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Budts
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors