Left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation in whom warfarin is contra-indicated: initial South African experience.
Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of cardiac embolic events, especially stroke. Oral anticoagulation therapy is used to reduce these events. Many patients however are unable to take such therapy. Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage (the source of 90% of these emboli) is an option in these patients. Presented here are the first 12 patients to have this procedure done in South Africa.
Vergelegen Mediclinic, Somerset West, South Africa.
M
M
Abelson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin