This type of procedure is indicated for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation with an increased risk of thrombus formation, in whom anticoagulation therapy fails due to a high risk of internal bleeding. These patients are at significant risk of stroke, as the most common site of possible thrombus formation is the left atrial appendage, where thrombus most often travels directly to the brain through the left ventricle. By closing the left atrial appendage, thrombus formation is prevented and the risk of stroke is reduced.
"Before the procedure, a physical model of the patient's heart is prepared at FBMI, which means that we first create a computer model of the heart from the patient's CT scans and then produce the model using 3D printing," adds doc. David Vrba from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering of CTU. The simulation of the procedure is used by doctors from the Cardiology Clinic of the FNKV to find the ideal place for puncturing the interatrial septum, which is one of the key moments of the procedure that can fundamentally affect its further course. Dr. Ondřej Fišer adds, "Thanks to the possibility of "in vitro" simulation, the course of the procedure can be individualized with respect to the anatomical conditions of the patient's heart, which is important not only for the effectiveness but also for the safety of the procedure."
The newly established cooperation of the Bioelectromagnetism team from the Department of Biomedical Engineering of FBMI with the Cardiology Clinic of FNKV and the Karlovy Vary Regional Hospital helps to optimize the performance of LAA closure in patients with atrial fibrillation.
