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Patients with atrial fibrillation (afib), an irregular heartbeat, are at a higher risk for stroke. The heart cannot efficiently pump blood to the rest of the body, so blood thinning medication is necessary.
Blood often collects in the left atrial appendage (LAA), a small sac in the top left chamber in the heart. There, dangerous blood clots can form and travel to the brain, causing stroke. LARIAT is a procedure to close the left atrial appendage (LAA) and prevent blood from backing up in the heart. This is a minimally invasive option for patients who have complications from blood thinners. The WATCHMAN is another LAA closure technique that offers minimal recovery and a dramatic improvement in quality of life for many patients. At Centennial Heart, we will partner with you to decide the best treatment option.
How it works:
- You will be placed under general anesthesia and your doctor will make a small incision.
- Your doctor will insert a small tube (about the size of a pencil) to take photos and determine the shape and size of your LAA.
- Two thin wires will guide the LARIAT delivery system to your LAA.
- The LARIAT device will form a lasso and tighten around your LAA.
- This will close off the LAA and prevent blood from collecting.