Kawakami H, Nolan MT, Phillips K, et al. - Researchers constructed a Markov model to determine the cost-effectiveness of combined catheter ablation (CA) and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) vs CA and standard oral anticoagulation (OAC) in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Total expenses, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), as well as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were evaluated among 2 post-CA strategies: (1) standard OAC and (2) LAAC (integrated CA and LAAC procedure). Total expenses for LAAC strategy and for OAC strategy were estimated to be $29,027 and $27,896, respectively, in the base-case cohort of 10,000 patients observed for 10 years. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $11,072/QALY was yielded by the LAAC strategy. Based on the data, the combined CA and LAAC procedure was concluded to be a likely cost-effective treatment choice for symptomatic AF patients carrying a high stroke and bleeding risk who are planned for CA. Additionally, patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc risk score ≥ 3 may derive more benefits from the combined CA and LAAC procedure.