Outcomes of patients with cancer undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion

Excerpt

Cancer is independently associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), especially in patients older than 65 years of age and/or in those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease [1]. Patients with active cancer are at a higher risk of arterial and venous thrombosis and thus at a higher risk of developing ischemic stroke [1]. Systemic anticoagulation with either low molecular weight heparin or direct-acting oral anticoagulants is complicated in patients with cancer due to thrombocytopenia, high-bleeding risk, and drug-drug interactions with chemotherapeutic agents [1]. Recent trials have demonstrated the important role of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in mitigating stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular AF; however, there is limited data on the safety and efficacy of LAAO device implantation in patients with cancer [2]. Therefore, we examined the outcomes of patients with cancer undergoing LAAO device implantation in a nationally representative cohort of patients. …