Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Concomitant Left Atrial Appendage Clipping During Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery: Technically Feasible and
Ashraf Alqaqa1, Shabiah Martin2, Aiman Hamdan1
1Department of Cardiology, St Josephs Medical Center, Paterson, NJ,USA.
Background:
It is believed that most of thrombi form in the left atrial appendage (LAA)before they emboli. Different surgical and percutaneouse approaches were suggested to manage the LAA. In this study we are evaluating the safety of clipping the LAA via minithoractotomy approach.
Method:
All consecutive patients who had minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with concomitant LAA clipping between December 2012 and February 2014 were included in the study. LAA exclusion was performed using AtriClip® LAA Exclusion System (Cincinnati, Ohio, AtriCure®). The patient s' clinical characteristics, intraoperative complications, and in-hospital coarse were obtained by reviewing the medical records.
Result:
Total of 22 patients(50% males) were included in the study. The median ages was 66.0 years (IQR: 50.8 to 81.3). Eight(36%) had mitral valve replacement and the rest had mitral repair surgery. Five(23%) patients needed blood product transfusion during the surgery. No clip related bleeding was observed and no perioperative mortality was recorded.
Conclusion:
During minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, Concomitant exclusion of the left atrial appendage using AtriClip® can be performed rapidly and safely.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Mitral Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction

