Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of embolic strokes and is
present in about one-fourth of all patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Closure of
the left atrial appendage (LAA) can effectively reduce the risk of neurological events
and is now a class IB recommendation in the most recent ESC/EACTS AF guidelines. The
working group “Heart Rhythm Disorders” of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular
Surgery (DGTHG) evaluates the current state of clinical research and recommends concomitant
LAA closure in patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation as a routine part of
heart surgeries.
Keywords
cardiac surgery - atrial fibrillation - stroke - atrial appendage - occlusion - working
group heart rhythm disorders