On day one of STS 2024, Dr. Moritz Wyler von Ballmoos, of Texas Health Resources, will present a session titled, “The STS 2023 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: Key Takeaways and How Do They Differ from the ACC/AHA Atrial Fibrillation Clinical Practice Guidelines?”
During his talk — one of several STS 2024 sessions to feature late-breaking studies that significantly influence advances in cardiothoracic patient care — Dr. Wyler von Ballmoos will share the latest evidence for surgical ablation (SA) and left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) across various clinical scenarios from the clinical practice guidelines. Emphasis is on the evolving role of surgical ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion in managing atrial fibrillation.
The recommendations highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team, comprehensive assessment, and long-term follow-up with specific attention to diverse clinical scenarios. The Class I recommendation for LAAO and expanded use of SA signify the growing confidence in these interventions based on recent evidence.
This discussion is part of a larger session, titled "Leaving Money on the Table: Benefits of Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Management in Atrial Fibrillation" that includes four additional presentations on the topic, as well as an expert panel discussion and question and answer sessions that follow each presentation.