AF patients are generally at a higher risk for stroke and thus may have to take anticoagulant medications, such as Coumadin or warfarin, to manage their afib-related stroke risk. With the FDA’s recent approval of AtriCure’s AtriClip device that is implanted during open heart surgery, afib patients and their doctors may now have another way to reduce stroke risk.
The AtriClip cuts off blood flow to the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA), where an estimated 90% of afib-related blood clots form, thus decreasing stroke risk. AtriClip is the first left atrial appendage occlusion device to be approved in the U.S.
Other devices are in clinical trials, including Medtronic’s Cardioblate Closure LAA Occlusion device, AGA Medical’s Amplatzer Cardiac Plug, and Atritech’s Watchman.
Learn more at:
FDA Approves the AtriClip for Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
This sounds too good to be true. I took coumadin for 8 years and have had many serious side effects. I'm now on Pradaxa, which is very dangerous because there is no antidote. I would love to get rid of afib, it has ruined my life, but I'm afraid the AtriClip may make matters worse for me. I sincerely hope it works tho.... Carol
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