Atrial fibrillation and stroke epidemiology -- Efficacy and limitations of warfarin, and novel oral anticoagulants with AF -- Mechanistic rationale for LAA closure with AF and stroke prevention -- LAA anatomy -- Conventional surgery for LAA closure -- The use of transesophageal echocardiography to guide percutaneous LAA closure -- The use of intracardiac echocardiography to guide procedural LAA closure -- The use of cardiac CTA to guide percutaneous LAA closure -- PLAATO device -- WATCHMAN device -- WATCHMAN: Trials and registries results -- Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) and Amulet -- ACP and Amulet: Trials and registries results -- LARIAT -- LARIAT: Trials and registries results -- Novel percutaneous LAA closure devices in clinical or pre-clinical trials -- Concomitant AF ablation and LAA closure -- Procedural complications and management -- Antiplatelet and anticoagulant strategies after LAA closure -- Device-related thrombi, residual leaks and consequences.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art left atrial appendage (LAA) closure, covering epidemiology of atrial fibrillation and stroke, LAA anatomy, surgical approaches, imaging for LAA closure, LAA closure procedure, and post-procedural management. LAA closure is a rapidly emerging field in stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation. Several percutaneous and surgical devices are now available in many countries, including WATCHMAN,�Amplatzer Cardiac Plug and Amulet, and LARIAT devices, and many more are in clinical development and are being evaluated in research trials. As LAA closure is a technically challenging procedure, detailed knowledge of the rationale, anatomy, and technical approach of this modality guides clinicians in patient selection and facilitates procedural success. Left Atrial Appendage Closure is a valuable resource for interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, echocardiographers, radiographers, fellows, and residents in guiding the management of patients prior to, during, and following LAA closure. � �.