TY - JOUR
T1 - Does Left Atrial Appendage Amputation During Routine Cardiac Surgery Reduce Future Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke?
AU - Domínguez, Helena
AU - Madsen, Christoffer Valdorff
AU - Westh, Oliver Nøhr Hjorth
AU - Pallesen, Peter Appel
AU - Carrranza, Christian Lildal
AU - Irmukhamedov, Akhmadjon
AU - Park-Hansen, Jesper
PY - 2018/1
Y1 - 2018/1
N2 - Purpose of Review: Stroke is the most feared complication of atrial fibrillation. To prevent stroke, left atrial appendage exclusion has been targeted, as it is the prevalent site for formation of heart thrombi during atrial fibrillation. We review the historic development of methods for exclusion of the left atrial appendage and the evidence to support its amputation during routine cardiac surgery. Recent Findings: Evidence is not yet sufficient to routinely recommend left atrial exclusion during heart surgery, despite a high prevalence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Observational studies indicate that electrical isolation of scarring from clip or suture techniques reduces the arrhythmogenic substrate. Summary: Randomized studies comparing different methods of closure of the left atrial appendage before amputation do not exist. Such studies are therefore warranted, as well as studies that can elucidate whether amputation is superior to leaving the left atrial appendage stump. Potentially, thrombogenic remaining pouch after closure should be addressed.
AB - Purpose of Review: Stroke is the most feared complication of atrial fibrillation. To prevent stroke, left atrial appendage exclusion has been targeted, as it is the prevalent site for formation of heart thrombi during atrial fibrillation. We review the historic development of methods for exclusion of the left atrial appendage and the evidence to support its amputation during routine cardiac surgery. Recent Findings: Evidence is not yet sufficient to routinely recommend left atrial exclusion during heart surgery, despite a high prevalence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Observational studies indicate that electrical isolation of scarring from clip or suture techniques reduces the arrhythmogenic substrate. Summary: Randomized studies comparing different methods of closure of the left atrial appendage before amputation do not exist. Such studies are therefore warranted, as well as studies that can elucidate whether amputation is superior to leaving the left atrial appendage stump. Potentially, thrombogenic remaining pouch after closure should be addressed.
KW - Atrial fibrillation
KW - Cardiac surgery
KW - Left atrial appendage
KW - Stroke
KW - Thromboembolism
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85052670533&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11886-018-1033-4
DO - 10.1007/s11886-018-1033-4
M3 - Review
C2 - 30171381
AN - SCOPUS:85052670533
VL - 20
JO - Current Cardiology Reports
JF - Current Cardiology Reports
SN - 1523-3782
IS - 10
M1 - 99
ER -