#ACC21 – Practice Changing RCT: In patients with atrial fibrillation (75% maintained on anticoagulation), left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery reduces the incidence of stroke and systemic embolism (4.8 vs. 7.0%) in the following years.

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion during Cardiac Surgery to Prevent Stroke – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentaries: Simple surgery prevents strokes in heart patients – McMaster University AND Occluding the LAA During Surgery Lowers Stroke Risk: LAAOS III – TCTMD

Video: The Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study (LAAOS) III

Commentary on Twitter

A visual abstract of the #ACC21 Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study III is now available, evaluating surgical #LAAO compared with no occlusion among patients with #AFib undergoing open heart surgery for another indication. https://t.co/3iIhAEuGwk pic.twitter.com/e9Wq6Bp3Zz

— American College of Cardiology (@ACCinTouch) May 15, 2021