If such a combined procedure can be done efficiently, it should enable recipients of AF catheter ablation to safely go off oral anticoagulation, noted Dr. Asirvatham, an electrophysiologist who is professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Dr. Holmes said several small studies of patients who have received combined AF ablation and Watchman implantation have been published.
“It’s uncertain whether left atrial appendage closure will affect AF recurrence rates post ablation, but it should reduce stroke risk. It’s a terribly important field of exploration that will be pursued in registries both in Europe and the United States,” he said.