Why the study?
Oral anticoagulants carry bleeding risks or may be contraindicated, making catheter-based left atrial appendage closure an important alternative requiring optimized imaging.
This review highlights the critical role of imaging specialists and a multidisciplinary approach in optimizing patient selection, procedural success, and long-term efficacy for left atrial appendage closure.
Supports multidisciplinary LAA closure teams with imaging specialists; leaves open need for prospective validation of protocols and outcomes.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in adults and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, including an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, dementia, and recurrent hospitalizations. As life expectancy rises, both the incidence and prevalence of AF continue to grow. Stroke prevention remains a cornerstone of AF management, with oral anticoagulation being the primary strategy to reduce thromboembolic risk. However, despite their advantages, direct oral anticoagulants do not completely eliminate the risk of bleeding complications. For patients in whom anticoagulation is contraindicated, poorly tolerated, or ineffective at preventing AF-related stroke, interventional alternatives have gained traction. The left atrial appendage (LAA), a primary site of thrombus formation in AF, can be occluded through a catheter-based procedure known as left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) or left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). This review aims to provide imaging specialists with a comprehensive understanding of their role in LAAC, underscoring the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to enhance patient selection, procedural success, and long-term efficacy.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Barletta et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: