Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices: Are We Isolating the Right Population?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects more than 37 million persons worldwide contributing to significant morbidity and mortality.1 Stroke prevention with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or non-VKA oral anticoagulants remains the mainstay of therapy in patients with AF because of the reduction of all-cause mortality in randomized clinical trials when compared with placebo. VKAs are necessary for those patients with valvular AF but carry a higher risk of stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality when compared with non-VKA oral anticoagulants.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research