Low-dose NOAC Versus GDMT After LAAO

The increased risk of Atrial fibrillation (AF) regarding thromboembolic stroke is predominantly due to the formation and embolization of clots from within the left atrial appendage (LAA). Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a nonpharmacological strategy for stroke prevention in patients with AF. Data from randomized trials, including PROTECT-AF, PREVAIL, and Prague-17, have suggested that LAAO has comparable efficacy to warfarin or NOACs. Considering these results, LAAO was recommended by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines as a non-pharmacological stroke prevention strategy for patients with NVAF who have contraindications or are unsuitable for OAC. The PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL trials stipulated the use of standardized antithrombotic medications which were designed to minimize the risk of stroke, systemic embolism, or device-related thrombosis. This antithrombotic strategy was subsequently endorsed by the guidelines, briefly, patients with LAAO were discharged on warfarin and aspirin for 45 days post-LAAO, if there was no leak or a leak ≤5 mm under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at 45-day follow-up, antithrombotic strategies shall switch to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) until 6 months post-LAAO, and then aspirin thereafter. Although LAAO was recommended by medical societies, previous patient-level meta-analyses have implied that compared with oral anticoagulation, LAAO had significantly more ischemic strokes, suggesting the inability of LAAO to prevent an ischemic stroke from sources beyond LAA. Will a combined strategy of LAAO and OAC further reduce the risk of stroke? The investigators hypothesized that a long-term low dose-Rivaroxaban (10mg daily) post-LAAO might be a potent supplement to the residue risk of ischemic stroke.