Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. Stroke associated with AF is primarily embolic, tends to be more severe than the typical ischemic stroke, and causes higher rates of mortality and disability. As a result, stroke prevention is one of the main goals of AF treatment. Treatment with anticoagulant medications is a first-line approach to stroke prevention in individuals with AF, although occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) may offer a non-pharmacological alternative to anticoagulant medications for those with a contraindication or intolerance to long-term anticoagulant use or with poor anticoagulant adherence. Multiple surgical techniques may be used to excise or occlude the LAA. One device, the AtriClip Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion System, has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for surgical LAA occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with AF.