Litwinowicz R, et al. - In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), researchers evaluated the long-term effectiveness of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in the prevention of primary and secondary stroke. Participants in the study were 139 subjects who were divided into two groups following LAAC: with prior stroke (Stroke Group; n=37) and without stroke (Control Group n=102). Compared to patients without stroke, mean CHADS₂, CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores, and HAS-BLED score were higher in patients with previous stroke. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of chronic heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, antithrombotic treatment, or LAA dimensions. Data reported that the estimated thromboembolic and bleeding risk reductions were 89% and 100% respectively in the Stroke Group and 91% and 81% respectively, in the Control Group. According to this retrospective study, previous stroke patients may be preferred for LAAC regardless of the presence or absence of anticoagulant therapy contraindications.