Key result
Left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with AF unsuitable for anticoagulation had an 88.9% procedural success rate and a 1-year ischaemic neurological event rate of 3.3% (95% CI 1.6-5.0).
Why the study?
Left atrial appendage occlusion offers a non-pharmacological alternative for patients with non-valvular AF contraindicated to oral anticoagulation, but its procedural safety and longer-term effectiveness needed evaluation in a UK setting.
Does left atrial appendage occlusion safely prevent ischaemic neurological events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for anticoagulation?
Observational (n=525)
Does left atrial appendage occlusion safely prevent ischaemic neurological events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for anticoagulation?
LAAO carries a relatively high procedural risk and should be reserved for high-risk AF patients who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulation.
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Supports selected LAAO use in OAC-ineligible AF despite procedural risk; leaves open RCTs confirming net stroke benefit versus medical therapy.
Willits et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=525). Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) was evaluated on ischaemic neurological event rate at 1 year (95% CI 1.6-5.0). Left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with AF unsuitable for anticoagulation had an 88.9% procedural success rate and a 1-year ischaemic neurological event rate of 3.3% (95% CI 1.6-5.0).
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