What are the main management recommendations from SCAI and HRS concerning left atrial appendage occlusion?

In this short interview, Dr Andrew Goldsweig (Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, US) discusses the new guidelines regarding transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions and Heart Rhythm Society. The multidisciplinary guideline panel released eight evidence-based recommendations and two areas for future research after developing clinical questions and using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Interview Questions:
1. What are the unmet needs for decision management regarding left atrial appendage occlusion?
2. How were the evidence-based recommendations developed?
3. What are the key recommendations in the SCAI/HRS guidelines?
4. What are the challenges and opportunities in implementing these recommendations?
5. What knowledge gaps were identified for future research?

Recorded remotely from Springfield, 2025.