A simple surgical procedure can save patients with heart arrhythmia from strokes that are often fatal is an important finding of a large international study carried out by McMaster University.
The removal of left atrial appendage reduces the risk of strokes by more than one-third for patients with atrial fibrillation. In terms of its structure and use, it is a finger-like tissue, is unused, can trap blood in the heart chamber, and increase the risk of clots.
In fact, the benefit of reduced clotting comes on top of any other benefits associated with blod-thinner medications that patients with this condition are usually prescribed.
“Importantly, for patients, with atrial fibrillation undergoing heart surgery, the left atrial appendage needs to be removed, as it the set-up to form clots. The trial shows this to be safe and effective for stroke prevention for patients of atrial fibrillation, stated the first author of the study.
The finding is anticipated to have a positive impact on a large patient population globally.
Interestingly, the results of the study pins hope to change practices right away. This is because the procedure is easy to administer, quick, and safe for 15 percent of patients with atrial fibrillation who have had heart surgery.
For the study part, researchers examined 4,811 people across 27 countries living with atrial fibrillation and using blood thinners. A random sample of patients who were undertaking cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and gave the consent were selected for the surgical removal of left atrial appendage, and their outcomes compared to the ones who were only on medicine. These individuals were monitored for an average of four years to establish efficacy.