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.

Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic, explains the WATCH TAVR study results that combined LAAO with transcatheter aortic valve replacement at TCT 2023. #TCT2023 #TAVR #Watchman #LAAO

TAVR and LAAO at the same time? Samir Kapadia breaks down the WATCH-TAVR trial

Could this late-breaking clinical trial from TCT 2023 be a sign of things to come in the years ahead? Samir Kapadia, MD, explored the topic in a new interview.

Akhil Narang, MD, director of the echocardiography laboratory at Northwestern Medicine explains the latest trends in structural heart interventional imaging. #ASE #ASE23 #ASE2023 #structuralheart #echofirst

The evolving roles of TEE and ICE in structural heart interventions

Akhil Narang, MD, explained that the two technologies can be used together to deliver high-quality patient care.

Boston Scientific has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Watchman FLX Pro left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device

Boston Scientific gains FDA approval for Watchman FLX Pro LAAC device

This represents the latest iteration of the Watchman technology, which was first approved by the FDA back in 2020.

Video of Rebecca Hahn, MD, explains the roles and economics of interventional echocardiographers. #ASE #ASE23 #Structuralheart #echofirst

Interventional echocardiographers play a key role in the treatment of structural heart disease

Rebecca Hahn, MD, examines the growing role of the dedicated interventional echocardiographer and how these imagers are paid.

Abbott recalls delivery sheath for LAA occluder device after 16 injuries

The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall, which means using the devices “may cause serious injuries or death.”

PHOTO GALLERY: The trends and technologies at ASE 2023

Browse through some of the many highlights from the American Society of Echocardiography's 2023 annual meeting.

Interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists ask CMS to clarify policy after unexpected denials

Three cardiology societies have reached out to CMS with questions about how MACs are interpreting a policy related to shared decision-making.

Conformal Medical raises $35M to continue development, research of next-gen LAAO device

The new investments were announced as the company continues developing its CLAAS device for sealing the LAA during LAAO procedures.

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