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Published on: February 26, 2013
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Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention: Devices, Techniques, and Efficacy
Sandia Iskandar1, James Vacek1, Madhav Lavu1
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Mid America Cardiology, University of Kansas Medical Center and Hospital, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66196, USA.
Cardiology Clinics
|May 7, 2016
Summary
Left atrial appendage closure, performed surgically or percutaneously, requires precise imaging for successful device selection. The WATCHMAN device is currently the only FDA-approved option in the US.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Surgical Procedures
Background:
- Left atrial appendage closure is a critical procedure for preventing stroke.
- Both surgical and percutaneous methods are available for LAA closure.
- Understanding LAA anatomy is key to procedural success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current surgical and percutaneous techniques for left atrial appendage closure.
- To emphasize the importance of preprocedural imaging in device selection and procedural outcomes.
- To highlight the current landscape of FDA-approved devices for LAA closure.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing surgical techniques: suture, excision, stapling, clipping.
- Overview of percutaneous approaches: endocardial, epicardial, and hybrid.
- Discussion on the role of advanced imaging in preprocedural planning.
Main Results:
- Surgical LAA closure involves multiple techniques, each with specific applications.
- Percutaneous LAA closure offers minimally invasive options.
- Accurate preprocedural imaging is vital for optimal device fitting and complication avoidance.
Conclusions:
- Left atrial appendage closure can be achieved through diverse surgical and percutaneous methods.
- Preprocedural imaging is indispensable for tailoring treatment to individual patient anatomy.
- The WATCHMAN device represents the sole FDA-approved percutaneous option for LAA closure in the United States.
