Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure devices: safety, efficacy, and clinical utility.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia treated in the clinical practice. One of the major complications of AF is a thromboembolic cerebral ischemic event. Up to 20% of all strokes are caused by AF. Thromboembolic cerebral ischemic event in patients with AF occurs due to atrial thrombi, mainly from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Prevention of clot formation with antiplatelet agents and especially oral anticoagulants (vitamin K antagonists or newer oral anticoagulants) has been shown to be effective in reducing the stroke risk in patients with AF but has several drawbacks with (major) bleedings as the most important disadvantage. Therefore, physical elimination of the LAA, which excludes the site of clot formation by surgical or percutaneous techniques, might be a good alternative. In this review, we discuss the safety, efficacy, and clinical utility of the Watchman™ LAA closure device.
Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Martin J
MJ
Swaans
Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Lisette Is
LI
Wintgens
Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Arash
A
Alipour
Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Benno Jwm
BJ
Rensing
Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Lucas Va
LV
Boersma
atrial fibrillation; left atrial appendage; prevention; stroke