Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure
Minimally invasive LAA closure for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation — an alternative to long-term blood thinners.
What is It?
Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are unable to take long-term blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants) safely or reliably.
In atrial fibrillation, the majority of blood clots that cause stroke form in a small pouch of the heart called the left atrial appendage. LAA Closure involves sealing this pouch from the inside using a specially designed device, preventing clots from entering the bloodstream.
At One Heart Centre, our interventional cardiologists have expert training in performing LAA closure procedures, offering patients a proven alternative to lifelong anticoagulation therapy.
Why is It Performed?
At One Heart Centre, our cardiologists may recommend LAA Closure to:
- Reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation
- Provide an effective alternative to long-term anticoagulant (blood-thinner) therapy
- Protect patients who are at high risk of serious bleeding from blood-thinning medications
- Maintain stroke protection while reducing the risk of life-threatening haemorrhage
Your cardiologist at One Heart Centre will carefully assess whether LAA closure is the most appropriate strategy for you, based on your individual stroke and bleeding risk profile.
What Does the Test Involve?
The procedure is performed in a specialised hospital catheterisation laboratory, usually under general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
A thin catheter is inserted through a vein in the groin and guided to the heart using ultrasound and X-ray imaging. The closure device is carefully positioned inside the left atrial appendage and deployed to seal it permanently. Once in place, the device blocks the appendage and prevents clot formation from reaching the circulation.
The procedure typically takes 60–90 minutes. Most patients stay in hospital overnight for monitoring and return home the following day. Over time, the heart’s natural tissue grows over the device, creating a permanent biological seal.
What are the Benefits?
- Significant reduction in stroke risk for appropriately selected patients
- Effective long-term alternative to blood-thinning medications
- Minimally invasive with no open-heart surgery required
- Short hospital stay and rapid recovery
- Permanent, durable protection against stroke