LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE: AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. It is associated with substantial risk of complications, including ischemic stroke. Oral anticoagulation therapy, widely used for thromboembolism prevention, relates to an increased risk of bleeding. Transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an emerging alternative to longterm oral anticoagulation. In this study we aimed to assess the rate of OAC discontinuation and thromboembolic (TE) events following percutaneous LAA occlusion.