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The left atrial appendage is a pouch-like structure located in the upper part of the left atrium. [1] Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an alternative therapy to oral anticoagulation in a certain subset of patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular and uncoordinated pumping function of the atria.
Anticoagulants: To prevent embolization.. Beta blockers: To block the effects of certain hormones on the heart to slow the heart rate.. Calcium Channel Blockers: Help slow the heart rate by blocking the number of electrical impulses that pass through the AV node into the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
The Cox maze procedure, also known as maze procedure, is a type of heart surgery for atrial fibrillation. "Maze" refers to the series of incisions arranged in a maze-like pattern in the atria. Today, various methods of minimally invasive maze procedures, collectively named minimaze procedures, are used.
Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, dementia, and stroke. [3] [12] It is a type of supraventricular tachycardia. [14] Atrial fibrillation frequently results from bursts of tachycardia that originate in muscle bundles extending from the atrium to the pulmonary veins. [15]
Asystole (New Latin, from Greek privative a "not, without" + systolē "contraction" [1] [2]) is the absence of ventricular contractions in the context of a lethal heart arrhythmia (in contrast to an induced asystole on a cooled patient on a heart-lung machine and general anesthesia during surgery necessitating stopping the heart).
In atrial fibrillation, [13] the left atrial appendage fibrillates rather than contracts resulting in blood stasis that predisposes to the formation of blood clots. [9] Because of consequent stroke risk, surgeons may choose to close it during open-heart surgery, using a left atrial appendage occlusion procedure. [18]
Bypass surgery is performed by removing a vein from the arm or leg, or an artery from the chest and replacing the blocked artery in the heart. This allows the blood to flow more freely through the heart. Valve repair is where the valve that is causing heart failure is modified by removing excess valve tissues that cause them to close too tightly.
Arrhythmias can also occur, most-commonly atrial fibrillation (incidence of 20–40%) that is treated with correcting electrolyte balance, and rate and rhythm control. [42] [38] However, arrhythmia such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation can be a sign of postoperative myocardial ischemia that is treated depending on the cause. [48]