Less major bleeding and higher hemoglobin after left atrial appendage closure in high-risk patients: Data from a long-term, longitudinal, two-center observational study.

Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a mechanical alternative for stroke prevention in patients at risk who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulation (OAC).

Hypothesis: Our hypothesis was that the reduction of anticoagulation following LAAC results in a decrease of bleeding events and a rise in serum hemoglobin in a high-risk collective of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Bleeding events, use of erythrocyte concentrates, anticoagulation, embolic events, and serum hemoglobin levels before and following LAAC were compared over more than 4 years.