While blood thinners like warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) remain the standard for stroke prophylaxis, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices offer a non-pharmacologic alternative for patients at high bleeding risk. Recent trials have shown that LAAO can be as effective as anticoagulants in preventing stroke and may be a viable option, especially for patients who cannot tolerate long-term anticoagulation.

In this interview, Drs. Anthony N. DeMaria and Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy explore the evolving landscape of stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, focusing on the comparison between traditional blood thinners and LAAO.