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ALL DEFINITIONS

Left Atrial Appendage Closure, Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Definition

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) or left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a medical procedure aimed at reducing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. It involves sealing off the left atrial appendage, a small pouch-like structure in the heart's left atrium, to prevent blood clots from forming and traveling to the brain.