Expanded Heart Care

An Innovative Procedure Gives Patients With A-Fib a New Option

Patients with atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, are up to five times more likely to suffer a stroke. For most of these patients, long-term anticoagulants, or blood thinners, are the solution. Fortunately, a new procedure at Christian Hospital is giving patients who are not well-suited for these medications another option.

For patients with atrial fibrillation, most blood clots form in the left atrial appendage (LAA). The irregular heartbeat associated with the condition causes the appendage to quiver instead of contract. Rather than pushing blood out, this allows it to pool in that part of the heart and form a clot. The clot can become dislodged and cause a stroke if it travels to the brain.

While blood thinners can prevent clots from occurring, this treatment isn’t ideal for patients who have a history of major bleeding, are on medications that could negatively interact or have an occupation or lifestyle that increases their risk of injury or falling.

An alternative for these patients, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a permanent implant to close off the appendage and prevent any clots from forming inside.

“This new procedure is a therapy designed to get patients who have those indications off of blood thinners,” shares Andrew Pitts, RN, MSN, MHA, heart valve program and protected PCI coordinator at Christian Hospital.

The approximately 45-minute-long procedure involves accessing a vein near the groin and advancing the device to the opening of the LAA for permanent placement. This is performed by an interventional cardiologist and an electrophysiologist. Christian Hospital recently welcomed a new BJC Medical Group electrophysiologist, Milan Kahanda, MD.

Outcomes from the procedure, which Christian Hospital began offering in July, have been very favorable. Following an overnight stay in the hospital, most patients are able to come off of long-term blood thinners and return to their normal life.

Offering innovative treatments like LAAO is part of the Christian Hospital cardiology team’s commitment to providing convenient access to the most advanced heart care.

“We provide a well-rounded, evidence-based practice (review, analyze and translate the latest scientific evidence) when it comes to cardiac care,” shares Pitts. “Christian Hospital has many services typically only available at academic centers or larger hospitals. It is truly academic-class medicine in a community setting.”