Heart device aims to cut stroke risk without blood thinners

This study tested if a small device that plugs a part of the heart is safer and more effective than standard blood-thinning medications for preventing strokes. It involved 81 high-risk patients who had both a narrowed aortic valve (treated with a minimally invasive valve replacement) and an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the implantable device or standard medical therapy and were followed for up to 5 years.