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Chambers of the Heart

Chambers of the Heart

The human heart is a complex organ made up of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. These internal chambers are separated by partitions known as the interatrial and interventricular septa. The exterior of the heart features a groove known as the coronary sulcus that demarcates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci distinguish between the two ventricles.
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...

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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

The Left Atrial Appendage Revised.

Paulo Roberto Barbosa Evora¹, Antonio Carlos Menardi¹, Andrea Carla Celotto¹

¹Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy of the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), SP, Brazil.

Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery

|December 22, 2017

Summary

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk, often linked to left atrial appendage thrombus. This review emphasizes anatomical and pharmacological factors for surgical left atrial appendage exclusion, a key stroke prevention strategy.

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Area of Science:

Cardiology
Vascular Surgery
Medical Education

Background:

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) significantly elevates stroke risk (4-5 fold increase), accounting for 15-20% of elderly strokes.
Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is implicated in 90% of these stroke cases.
Current management strategies including anticoagulants, percutaneous devices, and surgical LAA exclusion remain subjects of ongoing discussion.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a review focused on basic aspects of LAA exclusion for continuous medical education.
To emphasize the anatomical and pharmacological considerations for simple surgical exclusion of the LAA under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on LAA anatomy, physiology, and surgical exclusion techniques.
Discussion of pharmacological aspects relevant to LAA procedures.
Presentation of a specific surgical technique for LAA exclusion based on fundamental scientific principles.

Main Results:

LAA exclusion during cardiac surgery may increase early postoperative atrial fibrillation risk.
Understanding relevant anatomical spatial relationships is crucial for LAA procedures.
Physiological functioning of the LAA may be eliminated by exclusion procedures.

Conclusions:

Surgical exclusion of the LAA is a relevant strategy for stroke prevention in NVAF.
A thorough understanding of anatomical and pharmacological principles is essential for safe and effective LAA exclusion.
The review aims to equip medical professionals with foundational knowledge for LAA procedures, presenting a specific technique as an example.