BACKGROUND Dabigatran etexilate, a direct thrombin inhibitor and new oral anticoagulant (NOAC), has been shown to effectively prevent thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a paucity of data on the antithrombotic efficacy and safety of dabigatran in the resolution of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi in AF patients.