Left Atrial Appendage Ligation (Atrial Clip)

For people with atrial fibrillation, clots may form in a portion of the heart called the left atrial appendage. The atrial clip is a fabric coated metal device that closes off the left atrial appendage at its base. The atrial clip:

• Closes off the left atrial appendage so no blood flow in or out is possible
• Prevents/ significantly reduces strokes related to clots formed in the heart in patients with atrial fibrillation
• Allows patients to stop taking blood thinners permanently
• Reduces chance of a spontaneous bleeding complication (gastrointestinal, brain, nosebleed, etc.) or bleeding issue related to injury (sports, work, falls, etc.)

• Patients with atrial fibrillation and a need to avoid taking anticoagulants (blood thinners)
• Patients wishing to stop taking blood thinning medications due to worry of risk of bleeding issues, or potential for hazard from their use (as in certain careers)
• Patients with risk of injury from taking blood thinners due to activities (skiing, motorcycle riding, biking, etc.) or other medical conditions (neurodegenerative conditions & patients prone to falls)
• Patients wishing to reduce their risk of stroke with chronic atrial fibrillation

• Persistent closure in over 97% of patients
• Smaller residual left atrial appendage base/stump than other devices
• Reduces strokes related to clots (other devices have not demonstrated this outcome)
• Reduces strokes/complications from bleeding as patients are no longer taking blood thinners (other devices have only demonstrated this outcome)
• No reports of clip migration, clot on the clip, leakage, or exposure to the bloodstream
• If other devices fail patients stay on blood thinners indefinitely
• The clip has also been shown to reduce electrical triggers of atrial fibrillation & the amount of atrial fibrillation episodes some patients experience