title: Watchman Device: Left Atrial Appendage Closure For Stroke Prophylaxis In Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: A concerning proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with indications for oral anticoagulation (OAC) discontinue OAC or are never prescribed OAC therapy and many AF patients with the highest risk for embolic events off OAC also have the greatest risk for hemorrhagic complications on OACs. Medium-term efficacy and safety data provide evidence that the WATCHMAN device, the most studied device and the only one with randomized and medium-term follow-up data, may be a viable alternative to chronic warfarin therapy in nonvalvular AF patients. In addition to presenting key data pertaining to LAA closure techniques including the WATCHMAN device, this review will discuss crucial WATCHMAN implantation technical points.
authors.affiliation: The Northern Hospital, 185, Cooper Street, Epping, Victoria AUSTRALIA.
authors.forename: Dr Manoj
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: N Obeyesekere Mbbs Mrcp Fracp Fhrs
keywords: Atrial Fibrillation; Left Atrial Appendage; Left atrial appendage occlusion; Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation; PROTECT-AF; Stroke; WATCHMAN; Warfarin