Publications by authors named "E Aarnink"
JAMA Neurol
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- Patients with a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF) who have strokes can still be at very high risk of having more strokes, even when taking medication to prevent them.
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a special procedure aimed at helping these patients avoid future strokes.
- A study compared two groups – one that had LAAO and one that only continued their usual medication – and found that there was still a risk of strokes in both groups over a two-year period.
Article Synopsis
- - Study aimed to determine factors influencing early mortality after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) to improve patient selection and cost-effectiveness for stroke prevention.
- - Analyzed data from 1,020 patients, finding a 2-year mortality rate of 16.4%, with 50% of deaths attributed to non-cardiovascular causes, and identified six key predictors of mortality including age and heart failure.
- - Concluded that as the number of risk factors in patients increased, the mortality rate rose significantly, underscoring the need for careful patient selection for LAAO procedures.
Article Synopsis
- Patients who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) have an increased risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events, leading researchers to investigate the role of hematological markers in predicting these risks.
- Data from 1,315 patients revealed that while the platelet count was somewhat associated with thromboembolic events, none of the hematological markers were linked to major bleeding events.
- Key factors influencing thromboembolism included age and previous thromboembolic history, while major bleeding risks were tied to prior events, renal disease, and dual antiplatelet therapy upon discharge.
JACC Cardiovasc Interv
June 2024
Article Synopsis
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who can't use oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) and those who face recurring thrombotic events despite OAT.
- This study compared the efficacy of LAAO in patients experiencing thrombotic events while on OAT against those who had contraindications for OAT, using data from a large registry and propensity score matching for accuracy.
- Results showed no significant difference in ischemic stroke rates between the two groups, but the LAAO patients on OAT had a higher thromboembolic risk but lower bleeding risk, suggesting LAAO is a viable option for these patients.
