The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society21 Mai

The Lead Episode 152: A Discussion of Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Closure versus Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Ablation: A Sub-Analysis of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial (New England Journal of Medicine)

This New England Journal of Medicine study from the CHAMPION-AF trial compared left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using the WATCHMAN FLX device with non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in 3,000 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation eligible for anticoagulation therapy. The trial found that LAAC was noninferior to NOACs for preventing stroke, cardiovascular death, and systemic embolism, while significantly reducing non-procedural bleeding over three years of follow-up. These findings suggest LAAC may emerge as a viable first-line alternative to long-term anticoagulation in appropriately selected AF patients.

Digital Education Committee Member Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS discusses this article from the Heart Rhythm Journal that preceded the Heart Rhythm 2026 Late-Breaking Clinical Trial. He is joined in the conversation by Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS, Ammar M. Killu, MBBS, and Gregory M. Marcus, MD, FHRS.

Learning Objectives

Describe the rationale for left atrial appendage closure as an alternative to chronic oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation.
Review the efficacy and safety outcomes from the CHAMPION-AF sub-analysis comparing LAAC and NOAC therapy in post-ablation AF patients.
Discuss patient selection considerations and the role of shared decision-making when choosing stroke prevention strategies following AF ablation.

Podcast Contributors

Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS
Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS
Ammar M. Killu, MBBS
Gregory M. Marcus, MD, FHRS

Host and Contributor Disclosure(s):

J.T. Jacobson

•Board/Advisory Committee Membership: Abbott Medical •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Zoll Medical Corporation, Vektor Medical, Inc. •Research: CardioFocus, Inc., Johnson and Johnson •Stocks, Privately Held: Atlas 5D D. Kella

•Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Zoll Medical Corporation, MBW Spectrum
A. Killu

•Board/Advisory Committee Membership: Boston Scientific •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: AtriCure, Inc., Abbott, Biosense Webster, Inc., Siemans Healthineers •Research: Boston Scientific, Access Point Technologies

G.M. Marcus

•Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: InCarda Therapeutics •Research: NIH, PCORI, TRDRP •Stocks, Publicly Traded: InCarda Therapeutics

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(173)

The Lead Episode 169: A Discussion of Radiofrequency Ablation Produces Stiffer Atrial Lesions Than Pulse Field Ablation: In vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance elastography in pigs

In this episode of The Lead, host Deep Chandh Raja, MBBS, MD, PhD, FHRS, is joined by Kars Neven, MD, PhD, and David Chieng, MBBS, CCDS, to discuss the journal article, Radiofrequency Ablation Produce...

17 Sep 18min

The Lead Episode 168: A Discussion of Weight Loss in Older Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation, The LOSE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial

Description: In this episode of The Lead, host Jenelle Dziano, PhD candidate, is joined by Roopinder Sandu, MD, MPH, FHRS and Louise Segan, MBBS, MPH, PhD to discuss the journal article, Weight Loss i...

10 Sep 19s

The Lead Episode 167: A Discussion of The Long-Term Outcomes of Left Bundle-Branch Pacing vs Biventricular Pacing in Heart Failure (The HeartSync-LBBP Randomized Clinical Trial)

In this episode of The Lead, host Deepak Pasupula, MD, MPH, FHRS, is joined by Zaniar Ghazizadeh, MD, and Pugazhendhi Vijayaraman, MD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article, The Long-Term Outcomes of L...

3 Sep 33min

The Lead Episode 166: A Discussion of Relationship Between Time-to-First Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Recurrence and Atrial Fibrillation Burden: Implications for Trial Design

In this episode of The Lead recorded at EHRA, host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, is joined by Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Sanjiv M. Narayan, MD, PhD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article, Relationship B...

27 Aug 15min

The Lead Episode 165: A Discussion of Left Atrial Appendage Closure or Medical Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation (The CLOSURE-AF Trial)

In this episode of The Lead recorded at HRS2026, host Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS is joined by Jeffrey S. Healey, MD, FHRS and Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FHRS to discuss the journal article, Left Atrial Appen...

20 Aug 32min

The Lead Episode 164: A Discussion of Digital Twin–Guided Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia

Recorded at HRS2026, this episode of The Lead features host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, in conversation with Junaid A.B. Zaman, MA, MD, PhD, CCDS, and Patrick Boyle, BS, PhD, FHRS, about the journal a...

13 Aug 18min

The Lead Episode 163: A Discussion of Conduction System vs Biventricular Pacing in Heart Failure, The PhysioSync-HF Randomized Clinical Trial

Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Melissa Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS, in conversation with Sana Al-Khatib, MD, MHS, FHRS, and Wei Hua, MD, FHRS, about the journal article, ...

6 Aug 12min

The Lead Episode 162: A Discussion of Atrial Fibrillation Screening According to Genetic Risk: A Secondary Analysis of the Randomized LOOP Study

In this episode of The Lead, host Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, is joined by Christopher Kowalewski, MD, and Marco Perez, MD, to discuss the journal article, Atrial Fibrillation Screening According to Genet...

30 Jul 23min