Risk of Intraatrial Thrombi After Thoracoscopic Ablation in Absence of Heparin and Appendage Closure

Thoracoscopic ablation of AF can be associated with a risk of left atrial appendage thrombus formation and possibly also stroke. With administration of heparin during the ablation, followed by occlusion of the left atrial appendage as a part of the procedure, this risk can be effectively reduced.