Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Atrial fibrillation—also known as AFib—is a cardiovascular condition that causes the heart to beat in irregular (arrhythmic) flutters. Although it is a common heart condition that affects as many as 6.1 million people in the U.S., AFib can lead to life-threatening side effects if not properly treated. Exact methods for treating AFib depend on several factors, but patients who need an alternative to lifelong blood thinner use could benefit from the left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure. Speak to a Bayhealth heart and vascular expert.
What is AFib?
The human heart comprises four chambers, two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). These chambers work in harmony with each other, rhythmically contracting in order to pump blood through the heart and into the rest of the body.
AFib occurs when the electrical impulses that cue these contractions begin to malfunction, causing the atria to contract rapidly—400 times per minute or more. This prompts the ventricles to try and keep up, pumping faster and becoming overwhelmed. Without proper medical treatment, blood could pool in these chambers, forming clots that cause strokes.
Learn more about AFib, including how we diagnose it.
The LAAO Procedure for AFib
For individuals living with non-valvular AFib—meaning your condition does not involve problems with your heart valves—closing off the left atrial appendage can significantly lower your stroke risk and even eliminate the need for blood thinners. During the minimally invasive LAAO procedure, our heart and vascular experts implant a small device inside the left atrial appendage of your heart, closing off the area and preventing blood clots. Implants used during LAAO procedures (such as Watchman or Amulet) are among the most cutting-edge in the field, representing decades of research and clinical trials. Learn more below.
Speak with a Bayhealth heart and vascular expert about LAAO for AFib.