The Role of the Left Atrial Appendage in Stroke and Arrhythmia Provocation

AbstractPurpose of the reviewThe review will provide an overview of the potential use of left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), highlighting the benefits and risks involved with LAA exclusion.Recent findingsLAA ligation leads to electrical isolation of the LAA and a decrease in LA mass which is associated with a decrease in AF burden and occasional termination of AF in patients with persistent AF. This potential new indication will further expand the use of LAA exclusion and necessitate planning of combining LAA exclusion with catheter ablation for both stroke prevention and antiarrhythmic benefits. Operator experience and training leads to lower adverse events rendering LAA occlusion a safe and effective strategy for stroke reduction in a carefully selected patient population.SummaryWidespread use of the LAA occlusion devices is limited by the need for adequate technical training and operator learning curve, risk of complications, and lack of direct comparative data with novel anticoagulants. LAA closure as an adjunct to pulmonary vein isolation may expand upon the use of current closure devices.
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research