Delray Medical Center First Hospital in South Florida to Use New Therapy
Aug 3, 2017Delray Medical Center is the first hospital in South Florida to implant a new device used to seal off the left atrial appendage (LAA) — a small appendage connected to the left atrium — in patients diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The device, the Abbott AMPLATZER™ Amulet™ Left Atrial Appendage Occluder, is currently being evaluated in the AMPLATZER Amulet U.S. IDE Clinical Trial to determine the device’s safety and effectiveness.
Dr. Brij Maini, Regional Medical Director of Transcatheter Therapies for Tenet Healthcare’s Coastal Division, implanted the AMPLATZER Amulet occluder, which was designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients suffering from non-valvular AF.
“We’re extremely pleased with the results of this technology, and what it can do to enhance patient care, said Dr. Maini. “This procedure can help extend lives and improve outcomes for those who are suffering from atrial fibrillation.”
The AMPLATZER Amulet occluder works by blocking the LAA at its opening, which minimizes the opportunity for blood clots to form in the LAA and migrate into the bloodstream. The occluder is built with a longer lobe and waist than the previous version and was designed to allow for easier and more stable placement, which could result in shorter procedure times for patients. The device is offered in eight sizes to accommodate varying anatomies and is designed to address a wider range of complex patient anatomies.
