2023 AF Symposium: Innovative A-Fib Ablation Plus LAA Closure in One Procedure
This report from the 2023 AF Symposium is about an innovative treatment for A-Fib patients―combining A-Fib ablation with the insertion of a Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) occlusion device in a combined procedure.
Closing off the Left Atrial Appendage has become an important topic for patients looking to be A-Fib free.
Many A-Fib stokes originate in the Left Atrial Appendage. And many recurrences of A-Fib come from the Left Atrial Appendage, too.
Inserting a Watchman occlusion device to close off the LAA has become a relatively simple and fast process. Combining it with a catheter ablation doesn’t add much time to the ablation procedure.
This treatment strategy is currently in use in many countries overseas, but isn’t yet common practice in the U.S.
Dr. Walid Saliba of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH explained how patient selection is important in this combined procedure. To learn more read my report…