title: Left atrial appendage occlusion by invagination and double suture technique.
abstract: Left atrial appendage (LAA) plays a crucial role as a source of atrial thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, the need to close LAA becomes evident in patients with AF who undergo concomitant mitral valve surgery. Unfortunately, it has been reported a high rate of unsuccessful LAA occlusion, regardless of the technique employed.We propose a safe and simple method for LAA occlusion consisting in invagination of the appendage into the left atrium, followed by two sutures (purse string suture around the base of the LAA and a reinforce running suture).
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Cardiovascular, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Avda. Pío XII, 36, 31008 Pamplona, Spain. rhestefania@unav.es
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Estefania
authors.forename: Beltran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levy Praschker
authors.forename: Gorka
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bastarrika
authors.forename: Gregorio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rabago
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed