Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Contraindication to Oral Anticoagulation: The SA Plavix Registry (ASAP)

AF patients at the highest risk for embolic stroke also experience the greatest risk of hemorrhagic complications of anticoagulant use. The PROTECT AF trial revealed that LAA closure using the Watchman device was non-inferior to Warfarin for preventing stroke in AF pts with CHADS2 ≥ 1. However, these pts were treated with Warfarin post-implant until a TEE demonstrated LAA closure at 6 wks. Due to the pressing need for strategies that can prevent stroke in pts with contraindications to Warfarin, we performed a prospective study of Watchman implantation in Warfarin-contraindicated pts.