LAA Closure Devices At The Tipping Point

Since the FDA approval of Boston Scientific Corp.'s WATCHMAN device in March, the US market for left atrial appendage closure devices has reached a tipping point. With first-to-market advantage in the US, and a four- to five-year lead on the competition in bringing a LAAC device to the US market, BSX is well positioned to gain a strong foothold in this potentially billion dollar plus market; however, several factors will dictate market adoption of these devices in the US, including reimbursement, clinical efficacy, cost and ease of use.