Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC)

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the western world, with almost 2.2 million people in Germany suffering from atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation have an increased risk of developing blood clots in the heart, which can subsequently trigger a stroke. Over 90% of these blood clots form in a muscular pocket in the left atrium, the so-called atrial appendage. Due to the increased risk of strokes, most patients with atrial fibrillation have to take oral anticoagulation (e.g. Marcumar, NOACs). The side effect of this blood thinning is serious bleeding complications (stomach bleeding, brain bleeding, etc.). As an alternative to this blood thinning, it is possible to seal the left atrial appendage with an umbrella as part of a minimally invasive procedure. Patients with atrial fibrillation then no longer need to take blood thinners and are therefore no longer at risk of dangerous bleeding complications.

Patients with atrial fibrillation who have, for example, recurrent bleeding or an increased tendency to fall are eligible for atrial appendage closure.