Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an emerging technology for thromboembolic prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The first human implantation of an LAA device occurred in 2001, and since then four devices have received CE mark approval. These devices are being widely used in Europe for LAA closure in patients who are poor candidates for long-term oral anticoagulation. In the US, the WATCHMAN device (Boston Scientific) is anticipated to receive FDA approval imminently for AF patients who are warfarin-eligible. This approval is projected to significantly expand the indications for LAA closures worldwide. Thus, the volume of procedures is anticipated to escalate. This book discusses the epidemiology of AF as a cause of stroke; the use of LAA closure in the reduction of thromboembolism with AF; early surgical approaches and novel surgical devices for LAA closure; and current percutaneous approaches and devices available for LAA closure. The emphasis of this book is on percutaneous technical approaches and contemporary trial results on the leading devices (PLAATO, WATCHMAN, Amplatzer Cardiac Plug, and LARIAT). It also reviews unapproved devices in development, in both clinical and pre-clinical phases.

Jacqueline Saw, MD, FRCPC, FACC, FSCAI Clinical Associate Professor University of British Columbia Head, VGH Cardiology Clinical Trials Research Program Director, VGH Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Vancouver General Hospital 2775 Laurel Street, Level 9 Vancouver, V5Z1M9, British Columbia Canada Saibal Kar, MD, FACC Director, Interventional Cardiology Research Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 8631 W. 3rd Street, #415E Los Angeles, CA 90048 Matthew J. Price, MD, FACC, FSCAI Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Division of Cardiovascular Diseases Scripps Clinic Assistant Professor Scripps Translational Science Institute 10666 North Torrey Pines Road, Maildrop S1056 La Jolla, CA 92037 Jacqueline Saw is the editor of Carotid Artery Stenting: The Basics (978-1-60327-313-8, 2009) and Handbook of Complex Percutaneous Carotid Intervention (978-1-58829-605-4, 2007), both of which are volumes in the Contemporary Cardiology series.