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A-Fib Patients: Real World Data Shows Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices Work!
With Atrial Fibrillation, we know that 90%–95% of clots come from the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA). Therefore, one would expect that devices which close off the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) such as the Watchman and Amulet would lower the risk of ischemic stroke.
Recent findings from 10 research studies show this is indeed what happens. In addition, LAA closure (LAAC) devices significantly reduced hemorrhagic stroke (brain bleeds) and overall cardiovascular mortality.
Literature Search of LAA Closure Devices
Placing of Watchman occlusion device in Left Atrial Appendage
Australian researchers performed a systematic literature search of medical databases to identify all relevant studies assessing outcomes of LAA closure (LAAC) devices compared to oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy. They screened 284 studies and found 10 which fulfilled their criteria for inclusion.
These pooled studies included 12,873 patients who received LAAC devices and 12,694 who received OAC. There were no significant characteristic differences between the two groups.
They found that LAAC devices significantly lowered rates of all stroke events, as well as cardiovascular mortality.
Study of Brain Bleed Stroke
In another study, Boston researchers looked at A-Fib patients with increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) who received LAAC devices. They found installation of LAAC devices demonstrated a low risk of recurrent ICH or ischemic stroke. They concluded that use of LAAC devices “in high ICH risk population should be considered in clinical practice.”
Editor’s Comments
Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices Work: If anyone tells you that Left Atrial Appendage closure devices are “unproven”, “don’t work”, or are “too risky”—recent research says the opposite.
Closing off the LAA prevents 90%-95% of ischemic clots, as one would intuitively expect. But it also lowers hemorrhagic stroke risk (brain bleeds) due to most patients no longer needing to take anticoagulants (blood thinners) which tend to cause brain bleeds. One of the major benefits of having an LAA closure device, for many people, is no longer having to take blood thinners.
LAAC devices were found to be significantly more effective than current medical (drug) therapies.
LAA Closure Devices Improve Heart Health: And research shows that LAA closure devices significantly lower cardiovascular mortality. You’re less likely to get ill and die from heart problems when you have a LAAC device installed.
Putting in a LAAC device can be done by experienced EPs in 20 minutes and can now be done along with an A-Fib ablation. While any time you go into a hospital, there is some risk, a LAA closure device installation is one of the safest procedures you can have in a hospital.
