title: Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention: Devices, Techniques, and Efficacy.
abstract: Left atrial appendage closure can be performed either surgically or percutaneously. Surgical approaches include direct suture, excision and suture, stapling, and clipping. Percutaneous approaches include endocardial, epicardial, and hybrid endocardial-epicardial techniques. Left atrial appendage anatomy is highly variable and complex; therefore, preprocedural imaging is crucial to determine device selection and sizing, which contribute to procedural success and reduction of complications. Currently, the WATCHMAN is the only device that is approved for left atrial appendage closure in the United States.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Mid America Cardiology, University of Kansas Medical Center and Hospital, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66196, USA.
authors.forename: Sandia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iskandar
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Mid America Cardiology, University of Kansas Medical Center and Hospital, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66196, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vacek
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Mid America Cardiology, University of Kansas Medical Center and Hospital, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66196, USA.
authors.forename: Madhav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavu
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Center for Excellence in Atrial Fibrillation & EP Research, Bloch Heart Rhythm Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Mid America Cardiology, University of Kansas Hospitals, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66196, USA. Electronic address: dlakkireddy@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: Dhanunjaya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lakkireddy
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Endocardial left atrial appendage closure devices; Hybrid endocardial-epicardial left atrial closure devices; Left atrial appendage closure devices; Percutaneous approach; Surgical approach