ABSTRACT
Chapter 1. Background and pathophysiology of thrombus formation in the left atrium
The rationale for the quest to close the left atrial appendage (LAA) for
stroke prevention is composed of three elements: the concept that
atrial fibrillation (AF) causes strokes, the concept that strokes are
associated with thrombus formation in the LAA, and that these thrombi
cause strokes by embolisation to the cerebral circulation.
There are strong data supporting an association between AF and stroke.
The Framingham study following 5,070 patients over 34 years demonstrated
an approximately fivefold higher stroke risk in individuals with AF
than in those without1. Though ...