Efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage occlusion in the therapy for non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Objective To observe the short-term curative effect and safety of therapy of left atrial appendage closure(LAAC). Methods The patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF) were chosen according to inclusion and exclusion criteria from Department of Cardiology in the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC from November 2018 to September 2019. The therapy for NVAF of LAAC was performed under general anesthesia and mediated by intracardiac echocardiography. The composite end point rate of device or operation related events, ischemic stroke, systemic embolism and cardiovascular death were observed 7 days and 6 months after operation. The degree of left atrial appendage occlusion at 45 days and 6 months were observed. Results Total 70 patients were selected, there was no serious adverse events such as stroke, systemic embolism and overall death observed in the early 7 days after surgery. One ischemic stroke(1.4%, 1/70) occurred during the 6-month follow-up, 48.5%(34/70) completely sealed within 45 days, 55.7%(39/70) completely sealed within 6 months by transesophageal echocardiogram. The effective LAAC rate was 100%(70/70) at both 45 days and 6 months follow-up. Conclusion The therapy for NVAF of LAAC is safe and effective. The results of this study provide new ideas for the treatment of NVAF patients in China who need oral anticoagulants for a long time.