Left Atrial Appendage Closure

The left atrial appendage (LAA) of the heart is a common location where clots form in atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients that then embolism and cause a stroke. Closing off the LAA either surgically, with a clip or via transcatheter LAA closure device, closes the opening to the LAA to prevent clots from forming or embolizing. The clots are the reason why AFib patients need to be on anticoagulants. LAA occlusion (LAAO) enables patients to stop taking anticoagulation drugs. LAAO has been a rapidly growing segment of structural heart procedures since the approval of the first device, the Watchman, in 2015. Procedures are performed by electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologist or cardiac surgeons.

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Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic, explains the WATCH TAVR study results that combined LAAO with transcatheter aortic valve replacement at TCT 2023. #TCT2023 #TAVR #Watchman #LAAO

TAVR and LAAO at the same time? Samir Kapadia breaks down the WATCH-TAVR trial

Could this late-breaking clinical trial from TCT 2023 be a sign of things to come in the years ahead? Samir Kapadia, MD, explored the topic in a new interview. 

November 2, 2023
Akhil Narang, MD, director of the echocardiography laboratory at Northwestern Medicine explains the latest trends in structural heart interventional imaging. #ASE #ASE23 #ASE2023 #structuralheart #echofirst

The evolving roles of TEE and ICE in structural heart interventions

Akhil Narang, MD, explained that the two technologies can be used together to deliver high-quality patient care. 

October 23, 2023
Boston Scientific has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Watchman FLX Pro left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device

Boston Scientific gains FDA approval for Watchman FLX Pro LAAC device

This represents the latest iteration of the Watchman technology, which was first approved by the FDA back in 2020. 

September 7, 2023
Video of Rebecca Hahn, MD, explains the roles and economics of interventional echocardiographers. #ASE #ASE23 #Structuralheart #echofirst

Interventional echocardiographers play a key role in the treatment of structural heart disease

Rebecca Hahn, MD, examines the growing role of the dedicated interventional echocardiographer and how these imagers are paid.

August 17, 2023
Recall | Product recall

Abbott recalls delivery sheath for LAA occluder device after 16 injuries

The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall, which means using the devices “may cause serious injuries or death.”

July 27, 2023
Patient being scanned on Philips Epiq ultrasound cardiac echo ASE 2023.

PHOTO GALLERY: The trends and technologies at ASE 2023

Browse through some of the many highlights from the American Society of Echocardiography's 2023 annual meeting. 

July 7, 2023
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), American College of Cardiology (ACC) and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) have asked the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to clarify a key detail related to the national coverage determination (NCD) for percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC).

Interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists ask CMS to clarify policy after unexpected denials

Three cardiology societies have reached out to CMS with questions about how MACs are interpreting a policy related to shared decision-making. 

July 6, 2023
The CLAAS device from Conformal Medical. The new investments were announced as the company continues developing its CLAAS device for sealing the LAA during LAAO procedures.

Conformal Medical raises $35M to continue development, research of next-gen LAAO device

The new investments were announced as the company continues developing its CLAAS device for sealing the LAA during LAAO procedures.

June 6, 2023
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