Epicardial Surgical Ligation of the Left Atrial Appendage is Safe, Reproducible, and Effective by Transesophageal Echocardiographic Follow-up

Abstract

Double LAA ligation correlates with lower rates of in-hospital and 30-day mortality. This advantage comes without an increase in perioperative complications. This technique can easily be performed off or on pump, is very reproducible, and comes at a very low cost compared with LAA occlusion devices. Stroke has a multifactorial etiology; successful LLAA removes one potential source of thrombi perioperatively and in the long-term.