Yuan Li
Sichuan University, China
Title: Perioperative nursing of patients underwent catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in combination with percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in a single procedure
Biography
Biography: Yuan Li
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Non-valvular AF is associated with a fivefold increase in the risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. Although warfarin or the recently introduced anticoagulants can significantly reduce thromboembolic events in at-risk patients with AF, these medications are associated with severe hemorrhagic adverse effects and declined treatment compliance. Besides, catheter ablation (CA) therapy for AF is an effective rhythm control strategy for patients with symptomatic, drug-refractory AF, but its role in stroke prevention remains unproved. Expert consensus regards catheter ablation as a symptomatic treatment which should not be indicated with the sole purpose of stopping anticoagulation. On the other hand, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is to prevent thromboembolism has solid theoretical basis in that left atrial appendage is the source of thrombi in up to 90% of patients with nonvalvular AF and the positive effect of LAAO is arising with gradually overcome of the learning curve. Therefore, combining AFCA and LAAO, two percutaneous interventions that share some procedural issues and technical requirements, could reduce the incidence of stroke in selected high-risk patients while simultaneously relieving AF symptoms in a single session. As an innovative method with complicated procedure，the combined surgery undoubtedly post new challenges towards cardiac nursing profession. How to implement holistic nursing strategies to improve patient outcome are now confronted with cardiac nursing staff.