John Muir Health logo
  • Patients
    About MyChart
    Locating Patients
    Medicare
    New Patients
    Payment & Insurance
    Physician Open Payments Notice
    Preparing for Surgery
    Pre-Register for a Visit
    Registration & Forms
    Request a Health Record
    Security Center
    Video Visits
    Why Choose Us
  • Services
    Addiction Medicine
    Behavioral Health
    Cancer
    Cardiovascular Services
    Digestive Health
    Emergency Services
    Lab Services
    Medical Imaging
    Neurosciences
    Orthopedics
    Pediatrics
    Physical Rehabilitation
    Pregnancy & New Parent
    Primary Care
    Urgent Care
    ALL SERVICES
  • Education
    Classes, Screenings & Support Groups
    Clinical Trials
    Conditions & Treatments
    Health & Wellness
  • Health Professionals
    Careers
    Clinical Research
    Family Medicine Residency Program
    John Muir Medical Group
    Medical Staff
    Nursing
    Pharmacy Residency Program
    Resources
    Training & Education
    Video & Publication Center
  • About Us
    Annual Reports
    Awards & Recognition
    Board of Directors
    Community Commitment
    Employers, Brokers, & Health Plans
    Executive Team
    Make a Gift
    Mission & Vision
    Partnerships
    Media Center
MyChart Login
  • Find a location
  • Find a doctor
  • Pay a bill
  • Find a job
✕

Latest information on COVID-19 >

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

  1. Home
  2. Services
  3. Cardiovascular Services
  4. Cardiac Rhythm Center
  5. Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion
Cardiac Rhythm Center
  • Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Atrial fibrillation, the leading cause of stroke, is a condition where the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat too fast and irregularly. This causes blood to pool and can form clots in part of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). If a blood clot forms, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Drugs can cut the risk of blood clots that could lead to stroke in AFib. While warfarin is effective for many patients, long-term use is not well tolerated by some, due to a variety of reasons (i.e., risk of bleeding, food limits, or frequent blood draws). 

The WATCHMANTM device is a new alternative to blood-thinning drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation. It is placed inside the LAA of the heart to permanently close off this small pouch and keep harmful blood clots from entering the bloodstream. After the procedure, most patients are able to stop taking blood-thinning drugs.

A new alternative to blood-thinning drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Andrew Dublin, MD, interventional cardiologist, explains the benefits of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion, a new alternative to blood-thinning drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation. 

Meet our Team of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Specialists

Andrew Dublin, MD

Andrew Dublin, MD
Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology
925.937.1770

Anurag Gupta, MD

Anurag Gupta, MD
Cardiac Electrophysiology
925.274.2860

Carleton Nibley, MD

Carleton Nibley, MD
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
925.674.2880

Hi! I'm here to help answer your questions.
Chat
ABOUT
About Us
Board of Directors
Executive Team
Awards & Recognition
Partnerships
Community Commitment
Employers, Brokers & Health Plans
NEWS & PRESS
Media Center
Annual Reports
GET INVOLVED
Careers
Volunteer
Make a Gift
CONTACT
Email Us
PRIVACY
Patient Privacy
Website Privacy
Terms of Use
Security Center
Follow Us

© John Muir Health All rights reserved.

John Muir Health is accredited by The Joint Commission. 

We use cookies to measure website traffic and personalize content for a better browsing experience. By using this website, you consent to our cookies. For more details, see our Website Privacy Policy.