title: Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention: Emerging Technologies.
abstract: Current anticoagulant therapies aimed at stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasingly challenged by a complex patient population at significant risk of bleeding. Mounting evidence shows that left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an effective strategy for reducing stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular AF, without the need for anticoagulation. Several approaches and devices have been developed in recent years, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. This article reviews these approaches, identifies pertinent aspects, and outlines necessary or ongoing research in establishing LAA closure as a safe and effective approach to stroke risk reduction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Faisal F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: friedman.paul@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Friedman
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cardioembolic risk; Left atrial appendage closure; Stroke