Making history in cardiac care

On October 3rd, Los Robles Health System’s Dr. Saibal Kar made history and was the first in the U.S. to successfully implant a new innovative device to help those suffering from atrial fibrillation and the first in the world to use the device commercially. The original technology has been implanted in more than 300,000 patients worldwide, and this device’s latest technology gives hope to patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, not caused by a heart valve problem, by reducing the risk of stroke while providing an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners.

Atrial Fibrillation, is an irregular heartbeat that is often rapid and the condition is linked to a risk of stroke that is five times greater than those with normal heart rhythms. The device’ latest technology features a permanent polymer coating that is designed to reduce the risk of device-related thrombus and visualization markers for enhanced placement.

The permanent heart implant closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced and, over time, patients may be able to stop taking their blood thinner. The latest technology is enhanced with a non-drug-eluting coating designed to reduce the risk of device-related thrombus and enable faster, controlled healing and endothelization of the device surface. It is also available in a larger size to treat patients with larger LAA anatomies. Dr. Saibal Kar, Interventional Cardiologist at Los Robles Health System stated, “I’m proud to be the first in the U.S. to implant this device’s technology at Los Robles Health System, as it will bring hope to another patient demographic and offer potentially life-changing stroke risk treatment that will allow us to treat a broad range of patients.”