Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion is a way to close off a small pouch in the left atrium of the heart called the left atrial appendage. It is most commonly discussed for people with atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm that can raise stroke risk. The goal is to reduce the chance that blood clots form in that pouch and travel to the brain. It can be done with catheter-based devices or with surgical techniques, depending on the situation.