Left Atrial Appendage

I'm one of those folks who are very intolerant of blood thinners. Just had a run to the ER with the last one. All is ok for now but my EP is suggesting that I have a Left Atrial Appendage excision. Also a neighbor who knows I'm in permanent afib with my PM brought over and article from the Peoria, IL Journal Star about a Lariat procedure which appears to be a different method for the same thing.

The purpose I'm told is to reduce clot formation by separating off the part of the atrium that has formed a small pouch (90% of blood clots are said to be formed here). This procedure affects the hemodynamics (pumping capacity dynamics) of the heart and things like thirst and blood pressure maintenance.

Has anyone had one of these procedures, and how successful do you judge it, and what after affects have you had?
M'Liz

1 Comments

Appendage with maze procedure

by magenniskeith - 2013-01-28 08:01:41

Hi. I had open heart surgery seven years ago and while doing mitral vave replacement and tricuspid work, the maze procedure was done. For the first four years, I no longer had Afib but then it started to come back. My cardiologist said that having even a small number of afib episodes would mean going on blood thinner if I hadn't had the maze. Part of that procedure is removing that appendage. So I have been very pleased with it. I had a pacemaker implanted seven weeks ago and learning to adjust to that. I had heard about the Lariat procedure but think it is quite new. I don't advise open heart surgery just to do maze but if something else has to be done, it is an added plus. Don't know if doctor was recommending that. Hope not. That was no fun.

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