ABT · Earnings call · 2026Q3T · Full report

LAA Closure Competition

ABBOTT LABORATORIES · 2026-10-21 · Importance 26 · Surprise 24

Management said the left atrial appendage closure market remains challenging, with Abbott beginning to feel pressure one or two quarters after the market leader. It sees continued market growth and patient and health-system need, and plans to support the category through education, clinical investment, and a future trial comparing its technology with NOACs. Abbott described its device as competitive, citing ease of implantation and what it believes is superior seal technology, while declining to forecast its eventual share.

Key facts

• Abbott expects a readout of its LAA trial versus NOACs probably the year after next year.
• Abbott said U.S. orders for its LAA business slowed almost immediately after it received CE Mark for its new LAA device, as accounts waited for the new product.
• Abbott expects LAA market dynamics to remain a headwind to EP growth in the fourth quarter, and expects the fourth quarter to be the last quarter in which this offsets accelerating ablation growth.
• Abbott expects Amulet 360 to help reignite EP growth and capture share when it reaches the market.
• Abbott believes the LAA closure market will continue to grow and plans to continue investing in it.
• Abbott said its LAA device had 45-day data presented at the Boston meeting in January.
• Abbott said its LAA product adds ease of use to implantation and maintains what it believes is superior seal technology.