Non-Surgical Procedure Offers Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Who Cannot Take Blood Thinners an Alternative for Stroke Reduction

Northwestern's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is the first in Illinois to perform this innovative procedure

CHICAGO, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patients with atrial fibrillation (A-fib) who cannot take blood thinners now have an alternative to reduce their risk of stroke, which is five times more common in people with the rhythm disorder. The non-surgical procedure works by tying off the left atrial appendage (LAA), the source of most blood clots leading to stroke in patients with A-fib. Northwestern Medicine® heart rhythm specialists from the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute were the first to perform this procedure in Illinois. 

"Traditionally, surgery was required to close off the LAA. Now we have the ability to safely and permanently close it using a minimally invasive, non-surgical approach," said Brad Knight, MD, medical director of the Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. "This is an innovative method that has the potential to revolutionize the field of stroke prevention in patients with cardiac rhythm disorders."

The procedure, known as LAA occlusion, is performed using the FDA-approved LARIAT^® Suture Delivery Device. Doctors access the LAA by inserting a catheter, or thin tube, under the rib cage into the sac around the heart through which the suture to tie off the LAA is delivered. Another catheter is advanced through a blood vessel in the groin up into the heart, and positioned inside the LAA to help guide the suture over the LAA. The outpatient procedure eliminates the number one source of heart related stroke, while avoiding the potentially serious side effects associated with blood thinners.

"We are happy to be able to give our patients another option. Non-surgical procedures mean less discomfort and a shorter recovery time," said Albert Lin, MD, associate medical director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. "Drug therapies have historically been the first line of defense for patients with A-fib, but they are not tolerated by all patients and can pose serious side effects for some.  Now, we have the ability to safely and permanently close the LAA without the need for major surgery and potentially protect against the risk of stroke."

A-fib is a condition where a rapid and irregular heart beat can cause serious complications, including stroke, heart failure and early death. Some people with A-fib have no symptoms and are unaware of their condition until it's discovered during a physical examination. Those who do have A-fib symptoms may experience palpitations or sensations of a racing, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain or lightheadedness.

A-fib related deaths have increased over the past two decades and now account for one-quarter of all strokes in the elderly.

"There has recently been a renaissance in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. This latest technological advance represents yet another novel approach to treat atrial fibrillation," said Clyde Yancy, MD, chief of the Division of Cardiology and associate director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.  

"This is a great option for patients with A-fib who are at high risk for stroke but cannot safely take blood thinners," said Knight. "The procedure is non-invasive and the recovery time is short, so patients are able to return to their daily activities quickly."

Northwestern Medicine^® is the shared vision that joins Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in a collaborative effort to transform medicine through quality healthcare, academic excellence and scientific discovery.

For more information about atrial fibrillation and heart care at Northwestern Memorial, visit www.heart.nmh.org. To schedule an appointment please call 312-926-0779.  

About Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare is the parent corporation of Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, an 894-bed academic medical center hospital and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, a 205-bed community hospital located in Lake Forest, Illinois. 

About Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Northwestern Memorial is one of the country's premier academic medical center hospitals and is the primary teaching hospital of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  Along with its Prentice Women's Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry, the hospital comprises 894 beds, 1,705 affiliated physicians and 6,769 employees.  Northwestern Memorial is recognized for providing exemplary patient care and state-of-the art advancements in the areas of cardiovascular care; women's health; oncology; neurology and neurosurgery; solid organ and soft tissue transplants and orthopaedics.

Northwestern Memorial possesses nursing Magnet Status, the nation's highest recognition for patient care and nursing excellence.  It is also listed in 13 clinical specialties in U.S. News & World Report's 2011 "America's Best Hospitals" guide and ranks No. 1 in Chicago in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals metro area rankings. For 12 years running, Northwestern Memorial has been rated among the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" guide by Working Mother magazine. The hospital is a recipient of the prestigious National Quality Health Care Award and has been chosen by Chicagoans as the Consumer Choice according to the National Research Corporation's annual survey for 13 years. 

SOURCE Northwestern Memorial Hospital