What Is Left Atrial Appendage Closure?
Atrial appendages are veins that run parallel to the atrium of the heart. Normally, these appendages function as drainage channels for blood. However, in some cases, the atrial appendages become blocked and lead to a condition known as atrial fibrillation. In this condition, the heart beats rapidly with erratic timing and can lead to several medical problems such as thrombosis and cardiac arrest. Therefore, emergency physicians can resort to different types of atrial appendage closures. Let us understand what is left atrial appendage closure.
What Is Left Atrial Appendage Closure?
Left atrial appendage (or LAA) closure is a surgical procedure or minimally-invasive procedure for closing a patient’s LAA, which is a small sac in the muscular wall of the left atrium (the left upper heart chamber). Removing or closing it can considerably reduce the risk of stroke and can also eliminate the requirement for blood thinners intake.
Types of Closures
- Temporary: A temporary closure used to address a specific medical need is useful when frequent surgical procedures are necessary- for example, during heart surgery or a coronary process. This type of closure is done through an open surgical procedure and involves suturing the dissected ends of the artery or vein together.
- Permanent: In contrast to temporary closures meant to address specific medical needs, a permanent closure that is meant to prevent atrial fibrillation is done before a heart attack or other life-threatening condition. The surgeon will make a larger incision along with additional cutting and suturing procedures.
Types of Closure Devices
- The device that blocks the opening of the left atrial appendage
- The device that clamps the base of the LAA to close it
- The device that uses a suture loop to close LAA
Who Needs It?
Those patients, who are at risk for blood clots forming in their left atrium/left atrial appendages, can be recommended a procedure to seal up their LAA by their healthcare provider.
What Does It Treat?
Closing the LAA reduces the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation. This procedure is also helpful for people who have atrial fibrillation (but have no other medical conditions that require heart surgery).
Before It
Before the procedure, the patient will be having a TEE (i.e. the transesophageal echocardiogram) or a heart scan.
During the Closure
During the closure, the health care provider may remove the patient’s left atrial appendage and sew up the septum. The interventional cardiologist, who is an expert in minimally invasive cardiac procedures, can staple it closed, instead. This is a surgical closure of the LAA.
After the Procedure
After the Left Atrial Appendage Closure procedure, the patient can:
- Stay at the hospital for a night after the procedure is performed (or even for a longer duration after the surgical procedure).
- Get a TEE or transesophageal echocardiogram within 48 hrs hours of the surgery.
Contact Dr. Arun
Dr. Arun is an internationally-acclaimed interventional cardiologist, known for his expertise in performing minimally-invasive cardiac procedures including LAA Closure procedure, giving the best treatment to his patients all across India.
