Interventional treatments for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation with emphasis upon the WATCHMAN device

Current Opinion in Neurology
Sven Möbius-WinklerPeter B Sick

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Many strokes occur in patients with atrial fibrillation. Current guidelines recommend an antithrombotic regimen with warfarin to prevent thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation; however, a substantial number of patients are not eligible for this therapy. The exclusion of the left atrial appendage from circulation seems to be an alternative strategy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. The review focuses on the different devices for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Recently, two devices developed for percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of the left atrial appendage have been studied: the PLAATO (Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Transcatheter Occlusion) device and the WATCHMAN device. Safety and feasibility data are available for both devices. About 200 patients have received a PLAATO device. These patients were at high risk for thrombembolic stroke and were not candidates for oral anticoagulation therapy. The WATCHMAN device was implanted in 75 patients that were eligible for long-term anticoagulation therapy with a moderate risk for thrombembolic stroke due to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. For both devices, a reduction in the risk o...Continue Reading

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Sep 10, 2011·European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging·Gila PerkSaibal Kar
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