Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Physicians' perspectives on percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion for patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors' conclusion
In the first U.S. national physician survey of LAAO, individual physicians' perspectives varied greatly, which provided information that will help customize future educational activities for different audiences.
Study context
- Population
- Random sample of US physicians (American Medical Association Physician Masterfile) involved in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) for AF500 sampled per specialty
- Participants
- 500 / 500 / 500 / 500
- Exposure
- General cardiologists vs Interventional cardiologists vs Electrophysiologists vs Vascular neurologists
- General cardiologistsn = 500
- Interventional cardiologistsn = 500
- Electrophysiologistsn = 500
- Vascular neurologistsn = 500
- Outcome
- Reasons for considering, withholding and limiting recommendation of LAAO
Methodological detailsnational physician survey, mailed survey, randomised patient vignette (4 versions), Survey mailed up to three times, November 9, 2021 to January 14, 2022
- National physician survey
- Mailed survey
- Randomised patient vignette (4 versions)
- Survey mailed up to three times, November 9, 2021 to January 14, 2022
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Considering LAAO: history of intracranial bleeding
- 94.3%
- Considering LAAO: history of major extracranial bleeding
- 91.8%
- Considering LAAO: gastrointestinal lesions
- 59.0%
- Withholding LAAO: other indications for long-term OAC
- 87.7%
- Withholding LAAO: low bleeding risk
- 77.0%
- Withholding LAAO: low stroke risk
- 65.6%
- Limiting recommendation: procedural risks
- 59.8%
- Limiting recommendation: limited efficacy data LAAO vs NOAC
- 42.6%
- Limiting recommendation: limited safety data LAAO vs NOAC
- 32.8%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Decision-making by patient race/gender in vignette
- No difference by patients' race, gender, or patient–physician race/gender concordance
Original publication
Physicians' perspectives on percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion for patients with atrial fibrillation. Am Heart J. Published 10 August 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →