Novel Occlusion Clip Helps Prevent Ischemic Stroke

An implantable clip for the occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) can help reduce blood clots that lead to strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

The AtriClip Gillinov-Cosgrove LAA exclusion system is designed to cause dynamic, atraumatic tissue compression, resulting in the elimination of the blood flow between the LAA and the atria. Designed to be implanted from the outside of the heart, under direct visualization and in conjunction with other open-heart cardiac procedures, the procedure avoids contact with circulating blood, and results in permanent orifice closure and full tissue absorption of the LAA.


The AtriClip is composed of an enclosed woven polyester fabric, with a malleable shaft and an articulating distal mechanism that enables precise delivery. Consistent force is applied along the entire access, resulting in a parallel closure that corresponds to anatomy. The closure force varies with tissue thickness, and is between 13.8 kPa – 55.2 kPa. The AtriClip can be easily repositioned prior to suture release. The AtriClip Gillinov-Cosgrove LAA exclusion system is a product of AtriCure (West Chester, OH, USA), and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"We believe that the AtriClip system provides a safe and efficient method to exclude the left atrial appendage,” said David J. Drachman, president and CEO of AtriCure. "This key innovation represents a large and exciting new growth platform and demonstrates our steadfast commitment to developing market leading technologies to meet the needs of patients and physicians.”

The LAA is a hollow, muscular sac-like structure attached to the heart's left atrium, composed of internal trabeculations. During AF, stagnant blood pools are created in the trabeculations that can eventually form emboli that migrate to other parts of the body, leading to ischemic damage to the brain, kidneys, or other organs supplied by the systemic circulation.

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