Intracardiac Echo Imaging guided Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion proves to be effective and safe in individuals with Stroke & Atrial Fibrillation, thereby preventing recurrent strokes: Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet
Chennai, July 2024: Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet, a unit of Kauvery Group of Hospitals a multispecialty healthcare chain in Tamil Nadu, successfully treated elderly patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke through an advanced procedure, which is done by Intracardiac Echo Imaging.
Atrial fibrillation, particularly prevalent in individuals aged 65 to 70 years and compounded by conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, poses a significant risk of stroke due to blood clots forming in the left atrial appendage (LAA) of the heart. Primary treatment involves anticoagulation therapy, which, while effective, can increase the risk of bleeding, particularly problematic in elderly patients prone to falls and bleed in the brain and related complications.
Intracardiac Echo (ICE) an ultrasound device placed inside the heart itself through a blood vessel in the groin (Femoral vein), gives real-time images, allowing cardiologists to view the exact size of LAA and provides better accuracy in positioning the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) closure device safely.
“In elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, managing the risk of stroke without escalating bleeding risks is most important,” explained Dr. Anantharaman R, Senior Interventional Cardiologist Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet, Chennai. “For people who may not be fit for a surgery or unable to tolerate anticoagulation, closing the left atrial appendage emerges as a crucial alternative. This procedure helps prevent clot formation at the source, eliminating the need for strong blood thinners like warfarin or newer oral anticoagulants.”
In conventional methods, the procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and trans esophageal echo, but in patients with recent stroke with swallowing difficulty and multiple other comorbidities, this approach will be higher risk. Hence Intracardiac Echo (ICE) guided LAAO is safe and this has been adapted at Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet to accommodate patients with recent strokes or swallowing impairments. The hospital has successfully performed a series of five cases using this approach safely and successfully. “This innovative approach allows for the procedure to be conducted under local anesthesia and mild sedation, even in post stroke individuals immediately or patients with existing clot in LAA,” added Dr Anantharaman.
Highlighting the hospital’s advanced treatment capabilities, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder & Executive Director of Kauvery Hospitals, commented, “The introduction of intracardiac echo-guided LAA occlusion underscores our dedication to providing state-of-the-art healthcare. Atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk of stroke, making effective intervention crucial. Our cutting-edge hybrid Cath lab, along with the expertise of our cardiologists and neurologists, guarantees the highest quality care and outstanding results for our patients.”
