Left Atrial Appendage Closure

What Is the Left Atrial Appendage?

The left atrium is one of the heart’s four main chambers. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a small sac in its muscle wall. Doctors do not understand the LAA’s function.

What Is a Left Atrial Appendage Closure?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heart rhythm, increases your risk for blood clots and stroke. To prevent this complication, doctors usually treat patients with anticoagulants, or drugs that thin your blood.

Some people can’t take these medications for health or other reasons. For these patients, left atrial appendage closure is a procedure that can lower their risk of stroke by 85%. It can also reduce the bleeding risk that comes with taking blood thinners.

How Left Atrial Appendage Closure Works

Blood doesn’t flow well in the LAA due to its unique structure: It’s like a cul-de-sac with a lot of ridges. When blood slows down too much, it can clot. More than 90% of blood clots form in the LAA of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Our doctors seal off the LAA — and prevent clots from forming in it — using the WATCHMAN™ left atrial appendage closing device. The FDA-approved WATCHMAN device is a small implant that fits into the LAA.

What to Expect During Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Left atrial appendage closure is a one-time procedure that takes place in a cardiac catheterization lab. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, which means you’ll experience minimal discomfort without any stitches, or sutures.

The procedure usually lasts about an hour. Your medical team:

1. Puts you to sleep with anesthesia
2. Accesses your heart using a long, thin tube (catheter) via a tiny incision in the groin
3. Seals off the LAA

Are You a Candidate for Left Atrial Appendage Closure?

Left atrial appendage closure is a good option for people:

• Who are older and have an increased risk for stroke
• Who can’t take anticoagulants
• Have a career or lifestyle that increases the risk of major bleeding

Left Atrial Appendage Closure at IU Health

Our goal is to help you live a better quality of life for longer. Our specialists put themselves in your shoes, listening to your priorities and addressing your concerns.

Does frequent travel make it hard for you to monitor your anticoagulation? Do you want to be active with your grandchildren? Your health matters — and so do your preferences. We consider your lifestyle and goals when helping you determine if left atrial appendage closure is right for you.

Left atrial appendage closure expertise

Our heart rhythm specialists are known internationally for their expertise in AFib care. They treat more patients with the condition than any other program in Indiana — and perform among the most left atrial appendage closures in Indianapolis.

You benefit from experienced specialists who have seen it all and provide thousands of successes for our patients each year.

AFib research and clinical trials

Our researchers are studying novel ways to treat AFib. We also offer access to clinical trials with promising new treatments before they are available elsewhere.

After Left Atrial Appendage Closure

After your procedure, you may go home the same day. You will resume most activities within several days of the procedure.

You may take aspirin and your blood thinner for about 45 days, until your heart team reviews follow-up imaging.