LAAO in 2026: Translating New Evidence into Practice
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Overview

Recent evidence, including findings from the CHAMPION-AF trial and anticipated updates to SCAI/HRS guidelines, is reshaping the role of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). 

This webinar will address evolving evidence and guideline recommendations and translate into practical, actionable strategies supporting appropriate integration of LAAO into clinical practice and improving care for patients with AF at risk for stroke.

Faculty and Agenda
Thursday, October 8, 2026
7:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Central, 5:00pm Mountain, 4:00pm Pacific

Michael J. Rinaldi, MD, FSCAI
Moderator
Megan Coylewright, MD, MPH, FSCAI
Procedural Excellence & Efficiency: Optimizing Outcomes, Throughput, and Patient Experience
Vijay S. Iyer, MD, PhD, FSCAI
Case-Based Real-World Decision-Making
Saibal Kar, MD, FSCAI
Evidence Update & Patient Selection: CHAMPION AF and Expanding the LAAO Candidate Pool


Thomas E. Waggoner, DO, FSCAI

Building the LAAO Program & Referral Funnel: Creating a Scalable LAAO Pathway
   
Acknowledgement of Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Boston Scientific.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this initiative participants will be able to demonstrate the ability to: 

  1. Interpret new clinical evidence (including CHAMPION AF) and its implications for expanding LAAO patient selection.
  2. Apply guideline-based risk stratification and shared decision-making tools to identify appropriate candidates for LAAO.
  3. Implement strategies to improve referral pathways and multidisciplinary collaboration across IC, EP, and referring providers.
  4. Incorporate best practices for procedural efficiency and patient-centered care, including same-day discharge and concomitant ablation strategies.
Disclosures
Individuals in control of content reported the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companiesduring the content development process for this activity. All relevant financial relationships were mitigated beforethe start of the activity. ​ 

Planner:
Robert Bartel:
No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. 

Faculty:
Megan Coylewright: Alleviant - consulting; Boston Scientific - consulting; Edwards Lifesciences - consulting; Medtronic - consulting; Recor - consulting. 


Vijay Iyer:
Edwards Lifesciences - consulting, speaker. 

Saibal Kar:
Abbott - consulting, PI; Boston Scientific - Advisory Board, PI; Peija Medical - Advisory Board. 


Michael Rinaldi and Thomas Waggoner:
No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. 
 
Reviewers:
Nkechi Ijioma and John Lopez:
No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. 

Staff:

Kristen Perry: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. 
Accredited Continuing Education Information

Accreditation Statement
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is accredited by the 
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

​Credit Designation
SCAI designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

​ABIM MOC
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.0 MOC point in the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Successful Completion
Participate in the live activity and complete the evaluation to obtain credit.

Copyright
© 2026 Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and InterventionsTM (SCAI). All rights reserved.
Summary
Availability:
Registration Required
Expires on Dec 31, 2026
Location:
Online Meeting
Date / Time:
Oct 08, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Cost:
FREE
Credit Offered:
1 CME Credit
1 ABIM-MOC Point
1 Participation Credit
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