Alberto Preda, Davide Margonato, Carlo Gaspardone, Vincenzo Rizza, Ciro Vella, Lorenzo Rampa, Alessandra Marzi, Fabrizio Guarracini, Paolo Della Bella, Eustachio Agricola, Achille Gaspardone, Matteo Montorfano, Patrizio Mazzone
INTRODUCTION: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy and therapeutical INR range the incidence of cardiac thromboembolism is not negligible and the subgroup carrying a mechanical prosthetic mitral valve (PMV) has the highest risk. We aimed to assess the long-term effects of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in AF patients carriers of mechanical PMV who experienced a failure of VKA therapy. METHODS: In this retrospective, multicenter study, patients underwent LAAC because of thrombotic events including TIA/stroke, systemic embolism and evidence of left atrial appendage thrombosis/sludge despite VKA therapy were enrolled...
March 14, 2024: Canadian Journal of Cardiology