HAVASU REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER OFFERS NEW LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE PROCEDURE

LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ. (February 13, 2025) -- Havasu Regional Medical Center now offers patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) an alternative to long-term blood thinners with the latest-generation left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device.

This latest LAAC technology is designed to reduce stroke risk and serve as an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem.

The device, which has been implanted in more than 300,000 patients worldwide, 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 blood thinners.

The newest device has an updated design with three new features -- a thromboresistant polymer coating designed to help reduce the risk of device-related thrombus (blood clotting around the device), visualization markers for enhanced placement and a larger size for patients with larger LAAs -- to help treat a wide range of patients safely and effectively to ensure the best long-term outcomes.

According to the Centers for  Disease Control, an estimated 12 million Americans are affected by AF -- an irregular heartbeat that can feel like a quivering heart. People with AF have a five times greater risk of stroke than those with normal heart rhythms.

This new treatment option for patients with AFib is part of Havasu Regional Medical Center’s broader commitment to offering a range of treatment options for cardiovascular conditions. The hospital provides diagnostic, interventional, and surgical procedures to address heart rhythm disorders, vascular disease, and structural heart issues. Services include minimally invasive interventions, implantable devices, and rehabilitation programs designed to support long-term heart health, ensuring patients receive personalized care close to home.

The LAAC procedure is done during a one-time procedure under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day.

For more information about cardiology services at Havasu Regional Medical Center or to take a heart health risk assessment, visit HavasuHeart.com

About Havasu Regional Medical Center

Havasu Regional Medical Center is 171-bed, The Joint Commission accredited, and Medicare-certified hospital located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Havasu Regional Medical Center is a joint venture between PHC-Lake Havasu, Inc. and many community physicians. Through this ongoing collaboration, we are able to identify and focus on the elements that make for a quality-driven healthcare environment for our patients. Havasu Regional Medical Center is partially owned or invested in by physicians.