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Stanford Health Care

Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Our Approach

If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), left atrial appendage closure may reduce your risk of stroke. This procedure safely seals off a small part of your heart to help prevent blood clots. Left atrial appendage closure is an alternative to blood thinners for eligible patients.

At Stanford Health Care, we work together to find the best way to reduce your risk of stroke. We offer left atrial appendage closure using the Watchman FLX™ and the Amplatzer™ Amulet™. These devices are FDA-approved to lower the risk of AFib-related strokes.

Stanford Health Care is one of the few centers in the country that performs left atrial appendage closure without general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiogram. Our approach is less invasive, and you go home the same day.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE

  • Extensive experience and promising results with the Watchman FLX and Amplatzer Amulet devices, offering both devices commercially before any other program in Northern California after FDA approval.
  • Team approach to reducing AFib-related stroke risk, bringing together top electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists, surgeons, and imaging specialists.
  • Tailored care for your needs, with our team taking the time to explain your options and the potential benefits and risks of each option.
  • Active clinical research program to develop future left atrial appendage closure techniques and devices.
Make An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-723-6459

What Is Left Atrial Appendage Closure?

About Left Atrial Appendage Closure

The left atrial appendage is a thumb-sized pouch that connects to the upper left chamber (left atrium) of your heart. Most blood clots related to AFib form in the left atrial appendage. These clots can cause a stroke.

Closing off your left atrial appendage prevents blood from collecting in your heart and lowers your risk of stroke. Left atrial appendage closure may be a good option if you have AFib and you:

  • Haven’t had success with reducing your stroke risk with blood thinners
  • Cannot tolerate blood thinners
  • Take a medication that interacts poorly with blood thinners
  • Cannot follow the frequent checkup and blood draw schedule needed with blood thinners
  • Have an increased risk of bleeding or history of bleeding problems or are at a higher risk of falling because of your age, job, or active lifestyle
 
Left atrial appendage closure is not open-heart surgery. This procedure is minimally invasive, and you usually go home the same day. Left atrial appendage closure usually requires only one small incision in your upper leg.

INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?

The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely, and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!

Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.

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Our Structural Heart Program offers expertise in leading-edge, minimally invasive procedures, and open-heart surgery to treat structural heart disease. Together, our interventional cardiologists, heart surgeons, heart failure specialists, and imaging experts provide the most advanced and personalized care.

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300 Pasteur Drive
 3rd Floor, Clinic A31
 Stanford, CA 94305
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300 Pasteur Drive
 2nd Floor
 Stanford, CA 94305
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