Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Patients who have Atrial Fibrillation usually need to take blood-thinning medicines (warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban etc...). However, some patients can't take these medicines because they have had a major bleeding episode.

 

These patients are at higher risk of stroke because they aren't taking anticoagulant medicine.

 

Fortunately there is an alternative to anticoagulants called Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion. This is a procedure where a small pouch in the left atrial of the heart is accessed via the vein at the top of the leg, and is walled off with a plug to prevent any clot formation. This reduces the patient's risk of stroke.

 

Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion is a very effective treatment for stroke prevention in patients who have atrial fibrillation but who cannot take blood-thinners.

 

This treatment is offerred at the Sussex Cardiac Centre.