System and method for delivering a left atrial appendage containment device

Abstract

A method of delivering and deploying the device for containing the emboli during a surgical procedure proximate to the heart. Access is gained to the heart and the left atrium such that a distal end of the delivery sheath can be located near the left atrial appendage. A distal end of a delivery catheter can be loaded with the device in a collapsed position and passed through the delivery sheath thereby delivering the device within the left atrial appendage. The device is expanded to contain emboli in the left atrium appendage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the provisional application 60 / 526,960, filed Dec. 4, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] Embodiments of this invention relate in general to a system and method for delivering a left atrial appendage containment device. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Embolic stroke is the nation's third leading killer for adults, and is a major cause of disability. There are over 700,000 strokes per year in the United States alone. Of these, roughly 100,000 are hemorrhagic, and 600,000 are ischemic (either due to vessel narrowing or to embolism). The most common cause of embolic stroke emanating from the heart is thrombus formation due to atrial fibrillation. Approximately 80,000 strokes per year are attributable to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia of the heart tha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] There is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a method for containing emboli within a left atrial appendage of a patient. In one embodiment, an implant that has a frame that is expandable from a reduced cross section to an enlarged cross section is provided, the frame extending between a proximal hub and a distal hub. The frame is releasably coupled near its proximal hub to a control line extending proximally away from the proximal hub. A slider

Problems solved by technology

Embolic stroke is the nation's third leading killer for adults, and is a major cause of disability.

Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia of the heart that results in a rapid and chaotic heartbeat that produces lower cardiac output and irregular and turbulent blood flow in the vascular system.

A patient with atrial fibrillation typically has a significantly decreased quality of life due, in part, to the fear of a stroke, and the pharmaceutical regimen necessary to reduce that risk.

The LAA normally contracts with the rest of the left atrium during a normal heart cycle, thus keeping blood from becoming stagnant therein, but often fails to contract with any vigor in patients experiencing atrial fibrillation due to the discoordinate electrical signals associated with AF.

Pharmacological therapies for stroke prevention such as oral or systemic administration of warfarin or the like have been inadequate due to serious side effects of the medications and lack of patient compliance in taking the medication.

Invasive surgical or thorascopic techniques have been used to obliterate the LAA, however, many patients are not suitable candidates for such surgical procedures due to a compromised condition or having previously undergone cardiac surgery.

In addition, the perceived risks of even a thorascopic surgical procedure often outweigh the potential benefits.

The thrombus in the blood stream of the patient can cause embolic stroke.

Unfortunately, using staples or sutures to close off the LAA may not completely close the orifice of the LAA.

Additionally, closing the orifice of the LAA by using staples or sutures may result in discontinuities, such as folds or creases, in the endocardial surface facing the left atrium.

Unfortunately, blood clots may form in these discontinuities and can enter the patient's blood stream, thereby causing health problems.

Moreover, it is difficult to place sutures at the orifice of the LAA and may result in a residual appendage.

For example, an epicardial approach to ligate sutures can result in a residual appendage.

Similarly, thrombus may form in the residual appendage and enter the patient's blood stream causing health problems.

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