Long-term efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage closure vs. oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology·July 3, 2026·PMID 42486484

Why it matters

For cardiologists managing atrial fibrillation, this analysis clarifies the long-term trade-offs of LAAC versus OAC, showing a significant increase in ischemic events with LAAC without a reduction in major bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke, challenging the assumption that LAAC provides equivalent stroke prevention.