Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO)

The Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device is indicated for patients who have atrial fibrillation but are unable to take long term blood thinners. (The most effective treatment to reduce risk for stroke in Afib is to take long term blood thinners.) We perform the LAAO procedure to reduce the risk of stroke for those who are high risk for bleeding with standard anticoagulation treatment.

In percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion, the physician uses a catheter to thread a plastic tube up to the heart through a blood vessel which allows the positioning of a device to occlude the left atrial appendage.

This procedure requires you to come to the hospital fasting and will require a stay in the hospital. You will need a driver to take you home after your recovery is complete.