Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAA)

Name: Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAA)
Brand: San Diego Cardiac Center
Rating: 4.2 (42 reviews)

Your heart has a small sac-like extension on the upper section, called the left atrial appendage, or LAA. The function of the LAA is unknown, but people who suffer from atrial fibrillation can experience blood pooling in this small appendage, which can then become a clot, loosen from the structure and travel through the body, causing a stroke.

At San Diego Cardiac Center, our specialists can help you avoid the risk of a blood clot forming. For patients who have atrial fibrillation or an abnormal heart rhythm, our treatment is an alternative to blood-thinning medication.

What is the Treatment?

The WATCHMAN is an implantable medical device, about the size of a quarter, with a parachute-like shape. When implanted, it closes the LAA so that blood is unable to enter the sac-like appendage and form a clot. This groundbreaking device is inserted through a catheter placed in your leg in a minimally invasive treatment. With the risk of stroke significantly reduced, many patients can, over time, stop taking blood-thinning medication.

Are You a Candidate for This Innovative Treatment?

You may be the right candidate for the implantation of this device, called the WATCHMAN, if:

You have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, unrelated to heart valve problems.
You are taking, or might soon be taking, a blood-thinner such as warfarin or medications branded as Pradaxa, Eliquis, Xarelto, Savaysa, Jantoven, or Coumadin.
You are seeking an alternative to blood-thinners to reduce the risk of stroke.

WATCHMAN: An Alternative to Blood-Thinning Medication

The WATCHMAN device is FDA-approved as a long-term alternative to blood thinners for those who are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or a higher risk of stroke. This device has a remarkable success rate, with 94.7 percent of patients achieving a healthier life, with the risk of stroke reduced. Our specialists at San Diego Cardiac Center are very pleased to help our patients live longer lives without the need to take blood-thinning medication by implanting this state-of-the-art device.

Stroke Risk and You

Those who are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib) are five times more likely to experience a stroke than people who have a steady, regular heartbeat. AFib is a condition in which the heart's upper chambers are not functioning normally, and rather than squeezing, they shake and quiver.

This allows the blood to stay in the area, often in the LAA sac-like structure, where it can form into a clot and then travel through the blood vessels, cutting off the blood supply to the brain and leading to a potentially deadly or life-altering stroke.

More than 90 percent of the blood clots leading to a stroke form in the LAA, and the WATCHMAN device can solve this problem for a lifetime.

San Diego Cardiac Center: World-Class Diagnostics and Treatments

San Diego Cardiac Center has four decades of serving patients in a full range of cardiac services, including the WATCHMAN device. Our specialists deliver treatments with the highest level of expertise, with exceptional patient care and compassion. We are very progressive in adopting new therapies as a result of our clinical research experience, often offering new treatments before they become broadly available due to our ongoing clinical research studies. We adopt innovative therapies for our patients, including the WATCHMAN device, and are pleased to offer an alternative to a lifetime on blood thinners with this device.