Apollo Hospitals Guwahati Performs Northeast India's First Left Atrial Appendage Closure Procedure

Apollo Hospitals Guwahati has achieved a significant milestone in cardiac care by successfully performing Northeast India's first Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure procedure, bringing new hope to thousands of patients living with atrial fibrillation (AF), who are unable to safely remain on long-term blood-thinning medications. The landmark procedure was performed on a 66-year-old patient with atrial fibrillation and a previous brain hemorrhage, making continued blood-thinning medications unsafe. The multidisciplinary team, led by Dr. Rituparna Baruah, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, along with Dr. Dibya Jyoti Dutta, Dr. Chandra Kumar Das, and Dr. Chandra Prakash Thakur, successfully completed the procedure, and the patient is recovering well.  

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Rituparna Baruah said the procedure marks an important milestone for both Apollo Hospitals Guwahati and cardiac care in Northeast India. She noted that introducing this advanced therapy locally enables patients to access specialized treatment within the region, reducing the need to travel elsewhere for care. The achievement reinforces Apollo Hospitals Guwahati's commitment to expanding access to evidence-based cardiac care and strengthening specialized cardiovascular services across Northeast India. Until now, patients from Northeast India had to travel to Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai for this specialized minimally invasive procedure. With LAA Closure now available at Apollo Hospitals Guwahati, patients can access advanced cardiac care closer to home.    

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder that increases the risk of stroke by allowing blood clots to form inside a small pouch of the heart (the left atrial appendage). While blood-thinning medications remain the standard treatment to prevent stroke, they may not be safe for patients with a history of serious bleeding. LAA Closure offers an evidence-based alternative by permanently sealing the appendage through a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure, reducing stroke risk in appropriately selected patients without the need for open-heart surgery or lifelong anticoagulation.