Left atrial appendage exclusion in patients with atrial fibrillation: Should it become standard of care?

Optimal therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Is it left atrial appendage closure?

“…Sarris-Michopoulos et al reviewed the role of the left atrial appendage (LAA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) related stroke and current techniques for targeting it for stroke reduction. 1 The authors propose that further trials to assess LAA exclusion as an alternative to anticoagulation for patients with AF should strongly be considered. Any such consideration should take into account the potential risks and benefits, and ultimately be supported by randomized clinical trial data.…”

“…While these surgical techniques appear promising, the data presented in the review article by Sarris-Michopoulos et al is entirely from observational studies. 1 The total number of subjects in these studies is 442 patients. [9][10][11] This is less than aforementioned randomized Watchman trials which enrolled 707 patients in the PROTECT AF, 407 patients in PREVAIL, and 402 patients in PRAGUE-17.…”