The left atrial appendage amputation during off-pump coronary artery
bypass grafting prevents stroke
Abstract
Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in 20% to
50% of patients soon after cardiac surgery, and is associated with
subsequent newly developed AF. Left atrial appendage closure is
effective in preventing stroke among patients with nonvalvular AF.
However, the prophylactic effect of left atrial appendage amputation
(LAAA) in stroke prevention among patients with sinus rhythm has not
been proven. Methods: We analyzed 977 consecutive patients undergoing
off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) with sinus rhythm, with
or without concomitant LAAA, from 2011 to 2017 at our institution in a
retrospective observational manner. A total of 550 patients (56.3%)
underwent concomitant LAAA, any effect thereof in preventing early
(<30 days) and later stroke was examined. Results: The
incidences of POAF and early stroke were not significantly different
between the groups. The incidence of later stroke was higher in patients
without LAAA than in those with LAAA (4.0% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.02). In a
subanalysis of patients without LAAA, stroke occurred more frequently in
those with POAF than those without POAF (7.5% vs. 2.7%; p = 0.03),
while in patients receiving LAAA, stroke incidences did not differ
between those with and without POAF. Multivariate cox proportional
hazard model showed POAF without LAAA was the only independent predictor
of stroke (HR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.10 to 7.45; p=0.03). Conclusions:
Concomitant surgical LAA amputation during OPCAB reduces the risk of
stroke.