Patients characteristic
A prospective study was performed in 22 consecutive patients with permanent nonvalvular AF of 6-months duration of longer who were qualified for epicardial LAAO procedure with Lariat or AtriClip device. All eligible patients had electrocardiographically confirmed long-term AF.
These patients were high stroke and bleeding risk for continued long term systemic anticoagulation. Patients were enrolled between 2016 September and 2018 November.
Data on demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities and current treatment were collected from all patients using a standardized questionnaire. The diagnosis of stroke was based on the World Health Orgnization criteria. Diabetes was defined as a history of diabetes regardless of duration of the disease, a need for hypoglycemic agents, or fasting glycemia greater than 7 mmol/l or 126 mg/dl. CAD was confirmed angiographically (>50% stenosis in at least 1 major epicardial artery). Patients were enrolled between 2016 September and 2018 November.