Left atrial appendage closure: An emerging option in atrial fibrillation when oral anticoagulants are not tolerated.
Atrial fibrillation is associated with a risk of stroke, primarily from embolization of clots that form in the left atrial appendage. This structure has been targeted to reduce stroke risk in patients who have contraindications to oral anticoagulation. This article appraises the current literature describing surgical and percutaneous isolation of the left atrial appendage.
Department of Medicine/Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. E-mail: dperitz@unch.unc.edu.
David C
DC
Peritz
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Eugene H
EH
Chung
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants