The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a small sac or pouch in the left atrium. The atrium is an upper chamber of the heart.
When you have atrial fibrillation (say "AY-tree-uhl fih-bruh-LAY-shun"), a type of irregular heartbeat, the heart's upper chambers quiver, or fibrillate. This can lead to blood clots in the left atrium. Most of these clots form in the LAA, where the blood pools. If a clot moves out of the heart and travels to the brain, it may cause a stroke.
A left atrial appendage closure is a procedure to close off the LAA. The procedure can help prevent a blood clot from moving out of the LAA. But it can't prevent a clot from forming in other areas of the left atrium.
Closing the LAA won't affect how your heart works. Your heart will still pump blood normally.
You may be asleep for the procedure, or you may get a sedative to help you relax. Your doctor makes a small cut in your groin. A thin flexible tube (catheter) with tools inside it is put inside your blood vessel and carefully guided to your heart. Your doctor moves the tip of the catheter to the LAA and places a small device inside it. The device expands and closes off the opening. It stays inside your heart. The catheter is then removed. In time, your heart will heal around the device. A layer of heart tissue will help seal off the LAA.
You may stay in the hospital for at least 1 night.
Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
Your left atrial appendage (LAA) closure was done to close off this area in your heart. The procedure can help prevent a clot from moving out of the LAA to the heart or brain. This can prevent a stroke. Your doctor used a catheter to place a small device that plugs up the LAA.
After the procedure, you will spend at least 1 night in the hospital. Your groin may have a bruise and feel sore for a few days. This is where the catheter was inserted into your blood vessel. You can do light activities around the house. But don't do anything strenuous for a day or two.
Within the coming year, you will likely have a couple of tests to check that the device has closed off the LAA.
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