Long-Term Outcomes Following Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Medicare Beneficiaries: Outcomes From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an alternative to long-term anticoagulation for preventing ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. There are limited long-term outcomes data for "real-world" patients undergoing LAAO.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study using the National Cardiovascular Data Registry LAAO registry from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2019. We linked LAAO data to inpatient Medicare fee-for-service claims data using probabilistic matching to establish a cohort of patients 65 years and older undergoing LAAO with a WATCHMAN device. The primary outcomes were any stroke and all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 34 975 patients with a mean±SD CHA₂DS₂-VASc (congestive he

SUBMITTER: Higgins AY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12533740 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature