Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and its prevalence is increasing. Cardioembolic stroke, most of the times secondary to thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage, is its most feared and life threatening consequence. Oral anticoagulation with vitamin-K-antagonists is currently the most used prophylaxis for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation; unfortunately, its benefits are limited by a narrow therapeutic window and an increased risk for bleeding, making it often undesired. Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage is a novel alternative strategy for cardioembolic stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation at a high risk of stroke but with contraindication for long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. At present, several devices have been developed specifically for percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage. Current results show good feasibility and efficacy for these devices, with a high rate of successful implantation, although also associated with the inherent potential periprocedural complications. This work reviews the current state of the art of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, left atrial appendage, oral anticoagulation, percutaneous closure devices, stroke, THROMBOGENESIS, Atrial fibrillation, LAA, Cardioembolic stroke, non-anticoagulated patients
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Managing Cardiogenic Shock and the Value of Percutaneous Mechanical Circulatory Support.
Despite the advances in cardiology, the outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock remain poor. There is an increasing interest and use of mechanical circulatory support for patients with cardiogenic shock. Additionally, the complexity of coronary interventions has increased during the last decade with the potential of treating more high-risk patients ...read more
The era of cardiac medication and implantable devices therapy in heart failure treatment continues
The heart failure (HF) remains a serious public health problem and affects 64 million people worldwide. Although advances in medical therapy and device assistance have significantly improved HF outcomes, the implications of HF are still dramatic. In recent years, innovative developments have been made in HF treatment management, based on ...read more
Related Books
Blood Oxidant Ties: The Evolving Concepts in Myocardial Injury and Cardiovascular Disease
Advancements in Cardiovascular Research and Therapeutics: Molecular and Nutraceutical Perspectives
Herbal Medicine: Back to the Future
Cardiac Care and COVID-19: Perspectives in Medical Practice
Nanomedicinal Approaches Towards Cardiovascular Disease
Herbal Medicine: Back to the Future
39
