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2023 AF Symposium
Dr. Saibal Kar of
Cardiovascular Associates
Spotlight Session: Laminar LAA Closure/Elimination Device
Perhaps the most innovative and potentially ground-breaking presentation at this year’s AF Symposium was by Dr. Saibal Kar of Cardiovascular Associates at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA.
In a Spotlight Session on Friday, he described a new device for closing off (“eliminating”) the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) where 90%-95% of Atrial Fibrillation clots and strokes come from.
2023 AF Symposium presentation session: Dr. Saibal Kar of Cardiovascular Associates at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Disappearing the LAA
In an animation by the company Laminar (Laminarlaa), Dr. Kar showed what he called a “rhythm ball”. It is inserted into the LAA, then twisted counterclockwise to the point where the LAA opening (ostium) is screwed together so tightly that the ostium disappears.
Then, this ball is locked in place to prevent it from unwinding. The closure/elimination is checked for leaks, then the catheter is released while the device remains locked in place.
Laminar LAA closure device
Dr. Kar refers to this process as not just closing off the LAA but eliminating it (in the animation, the LAA disappeared).
Quick to place: The whole process takes 16 minutes with testing taking only 60 seconds. All this can be done in real time.
Repositionable: If not satisfied with the original insertion, the device can be untwisted and repositioned.
Dr. Kar also showed implanted devices and how they look after 45 days. The LAA is closed off with only a very small ball left inside the LAA, much smaller than current LAA closure devices.
Two Years Testing, Two Centers in U.S.
The Laminar LAA Closure/Elimination device has been used in Europe for 2 years and is now in its third generation. European patients have had as many as 2 years of follow-up.
In the US, there are currently two centers performing this procedure, one at Los Robles hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA and a second in Tucson, AZ. In the U.S., 15 patients have received this device which has been 100% successful in closing off the LAA.
Editor’s Comments
Medical Breakthrough! The Laminar LAA elimination device is a potential medical breakthrough innovation!
Like many great innovations, the Laminar LAA elimination device seems remarkably simple and easy to use. It could revolutionize the way LAAs are closed off today. And because it takes so little time to insert, it could be positioned at the same time as a catheter ablation.
Most importantly, by actually eliminating the LAA rather than simply closing it off, it may be much better for patients offering fewer leaks, complications, intrusive metal devices in the heart, etc. Also, by actually eliminating the LAA, it could prevent non-PV triggers in the LAA from affecting a patient’s A-Fib.
In the future, current LAA closure devices such as the Watchman (Boston Scientific) and Amulet (Abbott) may be superseded by the Laminar device.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Friday, May 12, 2023
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