Oral Anticoagulation Compared to Left Atrial Appendage Closure Following Catheter Ablation: Results From the OPTION Trial

A Cleveland Clinic-led trial found that a minimally-invasive procedure – left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) – resulted in significantly less bleeding in patients undergoing a catheter ablation to treat atrial fibrillation, compared to oral anticoagulation, while preserving low rates of stroke, blood clots and death. The OPTION Trial was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024. Walid Saliba, MD, speaks with Oussama Wazni, MD, Section Head of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing at Cleveland Clinic and Primary Investigator of the OPTION Trial about the results of the trial and implications for practice.