Catheter-based closure of the left atrial appendage is an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The effectiveness of this strategy, as compared with physician-directed best medical care, in patients at high risk for stroke and bleeding is unknown.
In the DZHK-funded CLOSURE-AF-DZHK16 study, it was shown that: Among patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk for stroke and bleeding, left atrial appendage closure was not noninferior to physician-directed best medical care with regard to a composite end point of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, or cardiovascular or unexplained death.
Link to the publication:
Landmesser U, Skurk C, Kirchhof P, Lewalter T, Hartung J, Rroku A, Pieske B, Brachmann J, Akin I, Jacobshagen C, Meder B, Zeiher A, Anker SD, Thiele H, Blankenberg S, Massberg S, Schunkert H, Frey N, Joost A, Bergmann M, von Bardeleben RS, Friede T, Placzek M, Suling A, Haeusler KG, Endres M, Wegscheider K, Boldt LH, Eitel I; CLOSURE-AF Trial Investigators. Left Atrial Appendage Closure or Medical Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2026 Apr 2; doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2513310
Link to press release: Personalised treatment for atrial fibrillation (CLOSURE-AF-DZHK16 study)
