Clinical Trials

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years
2. Documented non-valvular atrial fibrillation
3. Current CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥2
4. Have an appropriate rationale to seek a non-pharmacologic alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy
5. Willing and able to provide written informed consent
6. Willing and able to comply with study procedures and follow-up visits.
7. Able to take antiplatelet therapy post ligation procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cardiogenic shock or hemodynamic instability
2. Myocardial infarction in the past 3 months
3. Cerebral embolism, stroke, or TIA in past 3 months
4. Absence of a defined left atrial appendage on echocardiogram or CT scan
5. Previous cardiac surgery involving opening of the pericardium
6. History of pericarditis or pericardial tumor, a history of constrictive pericarditis or features which in the opinion of the investigator are suggestive of constrictive pericarditis
7. History of significant chest trauma of the anterior chest
8. Estimated life expectancy < 24 months
9. Chemotherapy in the past 12 months
10. Prior thoracic radiation therapy
11. Chronic liver disease (greater than Child-Pugh Class A), chronic renal disease/insufficiency/failure (creatinine >3.0 mg/dL and/or renal replacement therapy at the time of screening), or chronic end stage pulmonary disease (FEV1 less than 30% predicted).
12. Current use of long-term treatment with steroids. Does not include intermittent use of inhaled steroids for respiratory diseases.
13. Contraindication to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
14. Absolute contraindication to anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy
15. Congenital Heart Disease or intracardiac/intrapulmonary shunts
16. Symptomatic or known significant carotid disease and/ or aortic arch atheroma
17. Known thrombus in the LAA/LA or thrombus visualized by TEE within 48 hours before procedure
18. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 30%
19. Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy within next 12 months
20. Inappropriate appendage morphology (aberrant anatomy) as determined by imaging and assessed by Central Screening Committee
21. Current NYHA Class IV heart failure symptoms
22. Right ventricular dysfunction and /or pulmonary hypertension (≥50mmHG)
23. Moderate or greater valve disease (i.e., MVA <1.5cm2, AVA <1.5cm2), history of rheumatic mitral stenosis, or mechanical valve prosthesis.
24. Cardiac tumour
25. Known hypersensitivity to nickel
26. Patients in whom pericardial access will put the patient at risk (e.g. scoliosis, pectus excavatum, massive obesity with a BMI >40) as determined by clinical site Principal Investigator or Central Screening Committee.
27. Current enrollment in an investigation or study of a cardiovascular device or investigational drug that would interfere with this study.
28. Mental impairment or other conditions, which may not allow patient to understand the nature, significance and scope of the study.
29. Any other criteria, which would make the patient unsuitable to participate in this study as determined by clinical site Principal Investigator or Central Screening Committee (e.g., uncontrolled drug and/or alcohol addiction, extreme frailty).