Left Atrial Appendage Management
The LAA is a small pouch within the left atrium. A normal heart contracts with each beat sending blood through the left atrium and LAA. When a heart is in nPAF, the irregular beat causes the blood to potentially clot in the LAA, which studies have shown increases the patient’s risk of stroke.2
As part of the MAZE procedure, the LAA is managed surgically by devices or sutures to close the opening of the LAA. This prevents blood from entering the LAA which is the source for over 90% of detected blood clots (thrombi) in patients with Afib.6