Heart clip

[Mazza23]

Saw a piece on the news about a new keyhole op called heart clip where they put a clip on the bit of the heart where the blood clots can form in people with AF this is in Australia has anyone else heard of it

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Mazza

Yes there are two versions, internal or external, or there's surgery which is the left atrial appendage occlusion. (LAAO)

They all appear to be effective in decreasing the risk of stroke, it's just that my understanding is that they usually only do it in the UK, if either

a) You are already having heart surgery they then do the external tie off

b) You are high risk and unable to take anti-coagulants for any reason.

I suppose it is an interesting questions as to why more people do not have the internal "cage type" one inserted if they are having ablations. Not sure I know the answer.

Be well

Ian

[Mazza23 in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks for that it must have been the first time it has been done here I had ot heard of it

[PeterWh]

If I recall correctly 10 centres in the UK are doing this. There are three internal versions and one is called the watchman. Another is something like amp let or ampules Been a number of posts on this forum, including in the last 10 days. Also info on main AFA website as well as various hospitals and EP's own websites.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to PeterWh]

Amulet Peter. As I have mentioned before, there is a growing feeling in some quarters that the LAA does have a use and it may not be a a great idea to get rid of it. If it is the only way to reduce stroke risk then OK but otherwise I would want more research myself