Rationale and design of the Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study (LAAOS) III.

BACKGROUND: Occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is a promising approach to stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, evidence of its efficacy and safety to date is lacking. We herein describe the rationale and design of a definitive LAA occlusion trial in cardiac surgical patients with AF. METHODS: We plan to randomize 4,700 patients with AF in whom on-pump cardiac surgical procedure is planned to undergo LAA occlusion or …