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
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Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at an increased risk of ischaemic stroke. The efficacy of stroke prevention with vitamin K antagonists in these patients has been well established. However, associated bleeding risks may offset the therapeutic benefits in patients with risk factors for bleeding. ⋯ This paper explores patient groups in whom oral anticoagulation may be challenging and percutaneous LAA occlusion (LAAO) has a potentially better risk-benefit balance. The current status of LAAO and future directions are reviewed, and particular challenges for LAA occlusion requiring further clinical data are discussed. This article is a summary of the Third Global Summit on LAA occlusion, 15 March 2013, Barcelona, Spain.