| abstract |
Systems and methods for occluding an atrial appendage are provided herein, In an exemplary embodiment of a system for occluding an atrial appendage, the system comprises a first device comprising a tube and a balloon and a second device comprising a tube, a loop, and optionally a shaft coupled to the loop. In an exemplary method for occluding an atrial appendage, the method comprises the steps of introducing at least a portion of a first device into a heart, introducing at least a portion of a second device into a pericardial space surrounding the heart, positioning the balloon of the first device at least partially within an atrial appendage cavity, inflating (he balloon to displace biood present within the atrial appendage cavity, positioning the loop of the second device around the atrial appendage, tightening the loop around the atrial appendage, deflating the balloon Io allow for ultimate removal of the first device from the atrial appendage cavity, and separating (he loop from the second device so that the loop remains positioned and tightened around the atria! appendage. |