Operator Experience and Outcomes after Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion with the Watchman Device
Highlights
- • Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) with Watchman is not subject to a learning curve and volume outcome relationship.
- • There is no difference in outcomes when an electrophysiologist or an interventional cardiologist performs LAAO.
- • The real-world MACE rates are higher than those reported in clinical trials
Abstract
Background
Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has become a suitable alternative to anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, volume-outcome relationships at the individual operator level have not been studied.