Atrial Fibrillation Treatment – Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) Procedure

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Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who cannot tolerate long-term blood thinners. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a small sac-like structure in the left atrium of the heart where blood can pool and form clots, increasing the risk of stroke. LAAO effectively seals off this area, preventing clot formation and reducing stroke risk.

Patients with AFib have irregular heart rhythms that cause inefficient blood flow, leading to blood clot formation in the LAA. If a clot dislodges, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. To manage this risk, many AFib patients take anticoagulants (blood thinners), but these medications can have serious side effects, including:
✅ Increased bleeding risk (especially in older adults)
✅ Gastrointestinal bleeding complications
✅ Difficulty in long-term medication adherence

For patients who cannot take blood thinners due to these risks, LAAO offers an effective alternative to prevent strokes.

LAAO is performed using a catheter-based, minimally invasive technique under general anesthesia or conscious sedation. The step-by-step process includes:

Catheter Insertion: A thin catheter is inserted through the femoral vein in the groin and guided to the heart.
Transseptal Puncture: A small puncture is made in the interatrial septum to access the left atrium.
Device Placement: A specialized occlusion device (e.g., WATCHMAN™, Amplatzer™ Amulet) is deployed in the left atrial appendage, sealing it off.
Verification: Imaging techniques such as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) confirm proper placement.
Healing & Endothelialization: Over time, heart tissue grows over the device, permanently sealing the LAA.
🔹 Atrial fibrillation treatment without blood thinners
🔹 Left atrial appendage occlusion procedure
🔹 Stroke prevention in AFib patients
🔹 WATCHMAN™ device for atrial fibrillation
🔹 Alternatives to blood thinners for AFib
🔹 Minimally invasive heart procedures
🔹 AFib stroke prevention options