ABSTRACT
LAA occlusion has become a favourable option in patients with atrial fibrillation not eligible for oral anticoagulation therapy. Proof of effectiveness of LAA closure devices in a midterm follow-up period. This retrospective single-center cohort study analysed outcome in patients treated with AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug or AMPLATZER Amulet device. A standardized follow-up by phone call focusing on data of death, stroke and bleeding events was performed. Routine antiplatelet strategy was DAPT for 3 months post procedural. 212 patients (mean age 77 ± 6 years) were included. Follow up was performed in 197 (93%) patients. Patients were at high risk for thromboembolic or bleeding events (prior stroke/TIA 29%; prior bleeding 54%. Overall, there was a mean follow-up period of 1244.2 days (± 756.7) and a total of 674 patient years. We observed 25 events later than day 8 post procedure. We were able to demonstrate a high effectiveness of the AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug/AMPLATZER Amulet devices regarding the prevention of stroke and bleedings in a high-risk real-world cohort during a midterm follow-up period. Overall, we observed remarkably lower rates of stroke and bleedings as predicted with CHA2DS2-VASc and HASBLED scores.
