Safety and Efficacy of Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices: In-Vitro Controlled Simulations and In-Vivo Correlations

Abstract

The "Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device" is specifically designed to address the problem of stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In individuals with AF, the heart's atria (upper chambers) do not beat effectively, allowing blood to pool and potentially form clots, particularly in the left atrial appendage (LAA). These clots can then travel to the brain, causing a stroke. The purpose of the Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device is to mechanically seal off the left atrial appendage, preventing blood clots from forming there and reducing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk of stroke but cannot tolerate long-term anticoagulation therapy. Hence Patients with atrial fibrillation frequently develop thrombus in the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA), which significantly increases their risk of stroke. LAA closure devices block the appendage, providing a percutaneous method of lowering this risk. With an emphasis on current developments, this research article examines the history, development effectiveness, delivery & deployment and safety of LAA closure devices via in-vitro simulation testing with controlled conditions.