Left atrial appendage closure

The left atrial appendage ("LAA") is a small pouch off the left atrium of the heart. LAA closure prevents blood clots from leaving the LAA. This does not make atrial fibrillation or other heart problems go away. But it lowers the chance a blood clot formed in the LAA will enter the bloodstream and cause a stroke.

An LAA is often closed by placing a small tube (called a "catheter") through a cut in the skin of the upper leg or the arm and into a blood vessel. The catheter passes through blood vessels to the heart. A small device is passed through the catheter and to the opening of the LAA to block or plug the pouch (A).

Another way to close an LAA is with heart surgery. The doctor can use (B) a band, (C) a clip, or (D) stitches to close the LAA.