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Percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage to prevent ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who require but have contraindications to oral anticoagulation
Affiliations- I Katedra i Klinika Kardiologii, Poland
- Katedra i Klinika Neurologii w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
- Kliniczny Oddział Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii, 4 Wojskowy Szpital Kliniczny we Wrocławiu
- Kliniczny Oddział Neurologii, Samodzielny Publiczny Szpital Kliniczny nr 1, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
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Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a five-fold increased risk for stroke due to cardioembolic events. Most strokes in patients with AF arise from thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Oral anticoagulation is a standard treatment of AF patients with high risk of stroke. However, the main drawbacks of oral anticoagulation are high risk of major bleeding and imperfect effectiveness dependent on a very narrow therapeutic range. In this article, based on two case reports, we describe a method of percutaneous closure of the LAA. We discuss indications, describe the procedure and mention possible complications. LAA closure seems to be a promising tool to prevent AF-related strokes in a selected group of patients.
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a five-fold increased risk for stroke due to cardioembolic events. Most strokes in patients with AF arise from thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Oral anticoagulation is a standard treatment of AF patients with high risk of stroke. However, the main drawbacks of oral anticoagulation are high risk of major bleeding and imperfect effectiveness dependent on a very narrow therapeutic range. In this article, based on two case reports, we describe a method of percutaneous closure of the LAA. We discuss indications, describe the procedure and mention possible complications. LAA closure seems to be a promising tool to prevent AF-related strokes in a selected group of patients.
Keywords
ischaemic stroke, left atrial appendage, antithrombotic therapy
About this articleTitle
Percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage to prevent ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who require but have contraindications to oral anticoagulation
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
87-91
Page views
241
Article views/downloads
383
DOI
10.5114/ninp.2012.27178
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2012;46(1):87-91.
Keywords
ischaemic stroke
left atrial appendage
antithrombotic therapy
Authors
Przemysław Węglarz
Tomasz Bochenek
Maciej Świat
Ewa Konarska-Kuszewska
Wojciech Wróbel
Bogusława Czyrnik
Katarzyna Spisak-Borowska
Grzegorz Opala
Maria Trusz-Gluza
