Does left atrial appendage closure reduce stroke rates as well as oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet meds in A-fib patients?

RECOMMENDATIONS

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommends LAAC for patients with NVAF who are not candidates for long-term anticoagulation.⁷ Similarly, the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines issued a Class IIb recommendation for LAAC for stroke prevention in those with contraindications for long-term anticoagulation.⁸ Lastly, in a 2014 guideline, the American Heart Association, ACC, and the Heart Rhythm Society issued a Class IIb recommendation for surgical excision of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery, but did not provide recommendations regarding LAAC.⁹