Left Atrial Appendage Closure

The left atrial appendage (LAA) of the heart is a common location where clots form in atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients that then embolism and cause a stroke. Closing off the LAA either surgically, with a clip or via transcatheter LAA closure device, closes the opening to the LAA to prevent clots from forming or embolizing. The clots are the reason why AFib patients need to be on anticoagulants. LAA occlusion (LAAO) enables patients to stop taking anticoagulation drugs. LAAO has been a rapidly growing segment of structural heart procedures since the approval of the first device, the Watchman, in 2015. Procedures are performed by electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologist or cardiac surgeons.

Medtech company raises $32M for foam-based LAAO device
New Hampshire-based Conformal Medical plans on using the funds to enroll more patients into an ongoing clinical trial.
FDA says Watchman access systems may increase risk of air embolism—17 deaths reported
Because of this risk, which has been associated with 120 serious injuries, Boston Scientific is updating the instructions for use of several Watchman access systems.
New LAAO guidelines: 6 key takeaways for interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists
SCAI and HRS have collaborated on new guidelines designed to help clinicians make the safest, smartest treatment decisions possible.
Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures
Consulting fees and other vendor payments do not appear to be directly influencing U.S. physicians to implant more Watchman devices. Researcher Alexander Kolomaya, MD, discussed his team's findings on this topic.
Abbott’s Amulet LAAO device linked to long-term safety, effectiveness
Researchers explored five-year data from more than 1,800 patients with nonvalvular AFib who underwent LAAO with Abbott's Amulet or Boston Scientific's Watchman 2.5.

Osso VR, a San Francisco-based virtual reality (VR) company, has developed a new VR training simulation focused on left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures. The simulation is designed to offer clinicians a new way to practice LAAO procedures in a “repeatable, risk-free virtual environment.”

Cardiologist-approved VR for interventional procedures headed to ACC.24

San Francisco-based Osso VR and the American College of Cardiology have collaborated on advanced LAAO simulations. The two groups first started working together back in 2022.

Medicare data stethoscope healthcare trends graphs finance financials

An updated look at combining LAAO with ablation, TAVR or other interventional heart procedures

Performing two procedures at once does not appear to make a significant impact on patient safety, though it may lead to a few new risks sure to interest heart teams.

ICE-guided Watchman procedures linked to safety concerns—is TEE better for LAAO or will things improve?

TEE and ICE are each associated with certain advantages and disadvantages, researchers explained. The new analysis included data from nearly 40,000 patients.

older patient with a doctor at their house

Learning more about AFib: 19 important topics for cardiologists, other heart specialists to investigate

New AFib recommendations from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association covered significant ground—but there is still much more to learn, experts explained.

New AFib guidelines include higher recommendations for catheter ablation, LAAO

Cardiologists, electrophysiologists, surgeons and patient representatives all worked together on the updated guidelines, which were published in both the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation.

Johnson & Johnson acquires medical device company behind new LAA technology for $400M

The deal could also include additional clinical and regulatory milestone payments in the years ahead.

Medtronic Penditure Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Exclusion System

Medtronic debuts new FDA-cleared LAA exclusion device

Medtronic acquired the technology behind the new device back in August.

PHOTO GALLERY: Interventional cardiology technologies at TCT 2023

Browse through some of the many highlights from TCT 2023 in San Francisco.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Medtech company raises $32M for foam-based LAAO device

FDA says Watchman access systems may increase risk of air embolism—17 deaths reported

New LAAO guidelines: 6 key takeaways for interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists

Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures

Abbott’s Amulet LAAO device linked to long-term safety, effectiveness