Left Atrial Appendage

The left atrial appendage is a space in the left atrium that is prone to clot formation in patients with atrial fibrillation. During atrial fibrillation, the blood swirls around in the atrium as the heart changes substrate which could cause a potential clot in the appendage. This clot could detach and travel though your heart, into the aorta, and to your carotid artery which then increases the patient's risk for stroke. During open heart procedures, the left atrial appendage has started getting clipped to avoid such risks.

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