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LARIAT Procedure
LARIAT Procedure to Reduce Stroke Risk
Texas Heart Institute is among the few hospitals worldwide and Dr. Massumi, Rasekh and Razavi are some of the first physicians in Texas
to offer the groundbreaking new LARIAT procedure to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (”a fib” or “AF”) who are
unable to take blood thinning medications. Since stroke is the third largest cause of death in atrial fibrillation pa tie nts, the new
therapy is a potential life saver. Atrial Fibrillation affects an estimated three mi l lio n people. and patients with this condition are five
times more likely to have a stroke.
How LARIAT Could Reduce the Risk of Stroke
In people with atrial fibrillation, the heart beats irregularly, either too fast or too slow.
This disruption makes it harder for the heart's upper and lower chamber to work together,
leading to an increased likelihood that blood will pool and dangerous clots will form.
The innovative, minimally invasive procedure uses the newly-FDA approved LARIAT
Suture Delivery Device, manufactured by SentreHEART Inc., to tie off the hearts left
atrial appendage (LAA) The LAA is a finger shaped pocket that is attached to the left
upper chamber. Around 95% of strokes that occur due to blood clots in atrial fibrillation
patients, are from clots formed in
the LAA. The Lariat suture blocks stroke-causing blood clots from traveling to the brain.
The LARIAT procedure can benefit patients who can not take blood thinners:
 It is an alternative option for patients who can not lake blood thinner,
 It may decrease the specific stroke danger without affecting the rest of the heart.
 Patients who can not take blood thinners don't have to be exposed to a life threating bleeding complications from taking
blood thinners.
 The procedure itself is successful in about 95% of the patients. Although, it's impact in long-term risk of stroke is still unclear.
 It is a permanent. one-time solution.
 The non-surgical procedure poses a small risk in the vast majority of patients.
 There is minimal discomfort after the procedure.
 Patients won't need the frequent medical visits and blood tests required for those on blood thinning medications.
How LARIAT Works
Done under general anesthesia, the LARIAT procedure uses two catheters. One, carrying the suture device, is
inserted under the patients rib cage and the other, which guides it into place, is sent to the LAA from a vein in
the groin. Once in place, The LARIAT Suture Delivery Device, places and tightens a loop stitched around the base of the left atrial appendage
(Finger shaped pocket), permanently sealing it off from the rest of the heart. A
successful LARIAT procedure eliminates the main source of atrial fibrillation related-strokes while avoiding potentially serious side
effects associated with blood-thinning medications as well as the need for open heart surgery. This is an alternative option for patients who
can not take blood thinners. This procedure is approved and will be paid for by Medicare.
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