Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC)
Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), a procedure that reduces stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem, is performed at Northwest Health - Porter. Northwest Health - Porter was the first hospital in Northwest Indiana to offer this procedure. To learn more, call the structural heart team at (219) 983-8694.
Stroke is more severe for patients with AFib, as they have a 70% chance of death or permanent disability. The most common treatment for stroke risk reduction in patients with AFib is blood-thinning anticoagulation therapy. Despite its proven efficacy, long-term anticoagulation medication is not the right options for some patients and carries a significant risk for bleeding complications.
How It Works
The LAAC device is a parachute-shaped, self-expanding device that closes the left atrial appendage, or LAA, where 90 percent of stroke-causing clots originate. It is an alternative for patients who have non-valve-related atrial fibrillation and who have reason to seek a non-drug alternative, the LAAC implant is an implant alternative to reduce their risk of AFib-related stroke. The LAAC implant closes off the LAA to keep harmful blood clots from the LAA from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke.
By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced, and over time, patients may be able to stop taking anticoagulation medication.
The left atrial appendage closure device is inserted under general anesthesia in a cardiac cath lab and takes about an hour. Patients usually are hospitalized for one day. Anticoagulants are continued after the procedure until a follow up exam shows that the appendage is closed.
Learn More
If you have non-valvular AFib and would like to learn more about an alternative to your long-term anticoagulation therapy, call (219) 983-8694 to see if the LAAC device may be the right alternative for you.
Patients can be referred to a cardiologist with Northwest Medical Group to learn if this procedure is right for them.