Novel stroke risk reduction in atrial fibrillation: left atrial appendage occlusion with a focus on the Watchman closure device

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains an important clinical problem with severe complications such as stroke, which especially harms those with risk factors as calculated by the CHADS₂ or CHA₂DS₂-VASc. Until now, no therapy has proven 100% effective against AF. Since the left atrial appendage (LAA) is the most prominent nonvalvular AF-related thromboembolic source and (novel) oral anticoagulant [(N)OAC] carries the hazard of bleeding, LAA occlusion may be an alternative, especially in patients who are ineligible for (N)OAC therapy. In this review, we discuss several LAA occlusion techniques with a focus on the Watchman device since this device is the most thoroughly studied device of all.

Keywords:

• left atrial appendage
• atrial fibrillation
• ischemic stroke

Acknowledgments

The Cardiology Department receives proctoring fees for training/educational services from the Boston Scientific Corporation.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.