title: Intra-Atrial Excision of the Left Atrial Appendage: A Simple and Easy Technique.
abstract: In patients with atrial fibrillation, closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is recommended to prevent thromboembolic events, however, conventional exclusion or excision techniques have potential drawbacks such as persistent blood flow into the appendage and a residual stump. We propose a simple and easy technique for LAA closure consisting of intra-atrial excision of the LAA, which is invaginated into the left atrium (LA), and direct suture closure of the orifice from inside the LA. In this technique, complete elimination of the LAA was achieved without leaving a residual stump because the LAA was excised at the orifice and was closed at the base of the LAA.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, Kurume, Japan. Electronic address: shigeakiaoyagi@gmail.com.
authors: Shigeaki
authors: S
authors: Aoyagi
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors: Eiki
authors: E
authors: Tayama
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, Kurume, Japan.
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Oda
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, Kurume, Japan.
authors: Tomokazu
authors: T
authors: Kosuga
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, Kurume, Japan.
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Yasunaga
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cardiogenic embolism; Left atrial appendage; Left atrial appendage closure; Left atrial thrombus