Key result
The FDA approval of the Watchman left atrial appendage closure device provides an alternative to systemic anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
Does left atrial appendage exclusion prevent stroke in the long-term for patients with atrial fibrillation?
Does left atrial appendage exclusion prevent stroke in the long-term for patients with atrial fibrillation?
Highlights the introduction of the Watchman LAA closure device as an important alternative to systemic anticoagulation for stroke prevention in AF.
On March 13 th 2015, the approval of the Watchman left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced an important tool for stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the United States (1). AF is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and afflicts approximately 33.5 million people worldwide (2). Stroke is a feared complication of AF, and systemic anticoagulation is a standard of care for stroke prevention in AF. However, systemic anticoagulation is fraught with potential disadvantages, such as bleeding, need for compliance with medication, compliance with a regular diet in case of warfarin, medication interactions, and need for temporary interruption during surgical procedures.
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Vaidya et al. (2016) conducted an editorial in Atrial fibrillation. Watchman left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device vs. Systemic anticoagulation was evaluated. The FDA approval of the Watchman left atrial appendage closure device provides an alternative to systemic anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
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