Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center announced physicians have performed their first procedure using Abbott’s Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluder.
This allows for a minimally invasive therapy to treat people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who are at risk of ischemic stroke.
This latest advancement from Abbott — a leading manufacturer of innovative and life-changing structural heart solutions — completely and immediately seals the LAA, eliminating the need for blood-thinning medication following the procedure.
AFib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat out of coordination with the lower cambers (ventricles) and contract rapidly and irregularly.
In some people with AFib, the LAA — a small, naturally occurring pocket connected to the upper left chambers of the heart — can allow blood to pool and increase the likelihood of a clot formation, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
For patients with AFib who are unable to take blood thinner long-term, physicians may perform procedures to prevent blood clots from leaving the LAA to reduce the risk of stroke.
“Offering this procedure is validation that Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center continues to provide innovative and effective treatment options for patients in our community,” said Dr. Wissam Gharib, director of Structural Heart at Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center.
“We are proud to be the highest-ranked cardiovascular program in the state and the first to offer the Amplatzer Amulet LAA Occluder.”
Abbott recently announced the Amplatzer Amulet LAA Occluder received FDA approval.
Learn more about the Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center, go to MonHealth.com/Heart.
