title: Evaluation of the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure device.
abstract: Left atrial appendage device occlusion for the preventions of systemic thromboembolism and stroke represents a major breakthrough in the field of cardiovascular disease. The wide prevalence of atrial fibrillation with devastating consequences of thromboembolic stroke as a result of thrombus arising from the left atrial appendage has led to the development of transcatheter and surgical based occlusion devices. Though this device is yet to be formally approved for a clinical indication in the USA, the WATCHMAN appendage occlusion device remains the most rigorously examined and studied of all transcatheter-based devices in this space. This review will focus on the needs assessment in this space, the technology of the current WATCHMAN device, trials and studies looking at safety and efficacy, specific patient populations who might benefit as well as future perspectives.
authors: The Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors: Oluseun
authors: O
authors: Alli
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Holmes
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D055989:Septal Occluder Device; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: PROTECT AF; WATCHMAN; atrial fibrillation; left atrial appendage; left atrial appendage occlusion; oral anticoagulant