Left Atrial Appendage CLOSURE for the Prevention of Thromboembolisms in Patients Undergoing Aortic Bioprosthesis Surgery

Previous studies have concluded that ≥90% of AF related left atrial thrombi are located in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Surgical closure of LAA can be performed using ligation, stapler or other devices designed for this purpose during cardiac surgery. However, current evidence for surgical closure of LAA is scarce and no large scale randomized prospective clinical trials addressing this issue have been published. American College of Cardiology (ACC)/ American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines state that LAA exclusion should be considered in patients with recurrent and persistent AF who remain symptomatic with heart rate control and where antiarrhythmic medication is not tolerated or no longer effective. Current European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) guidelines conclude that there is no proven benefit of surgical LAA exclusion in terms of stroke reduction or mortality benefit (level of evidence 2a B), and if exclusion is contemplated, devices designed for appendage exclusion should be used rather than a cut-and-sew or stapling technique. These guidelines are based on small poorly designed descriptive trials and only one small randomized trial.

LAA-CLOSURE trial aims to assess efficacy and safety of prophylactic surgical closure of LAA in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (+/- coronary bypass AND/OR mitral valve surgery) according to clinical indications (ESC guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease)
• Age ≥18 years
• No indication for long term anticoagulation at the time of enrollment.
• Patients with CHADS-VASC score ≥2
• Patient is willing to comply with specified follow-up evaluations
• Patient or legally authorized representative has been informed of the nature of the study, agrees to its provisions and has been provided written informed consent, approved by the appropriate Medical Ethics committee or Institutional Review Board.

Exclusion criteria

• Age < 18 years
• Expected survival < 1 year
• Chronic atrial fibrillation
• Indication for long term anticoagulation therapy before the index procedure
• Mechanical valve implantation previously or at the index procedure
• Any significant medical condition, which in the Investigator's opinion may interfere with the patient's optimal participation in the study.