Houston Methodist The Woodlands Completes 400th LAAO Procedure

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Heart & Vascular team at Houston Methodist The Woodlands recently reached another milestone, recently completing their 400th LAAO (Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion) procedure. LAAO is designed to reduce the risk of strokes that originate in the left atrial appendage by implanting a device to prevent blood clots.

“This established stroke prevention strategy requires a tremendous team-based approach, and we are very proud of our team for working together to provide unparalleled heart and vascular care to our patients,” said David Bernard, senior vice president, Houston Methodist, and CEO, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.

Dr. Rajesh Venkataraman has been a part of more than 360 of the procedures at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, and credits the entire team for the safe and effective approach.

“We are happy to provide both commercially available LAAO's on the market to our patients at Houston Methodist the Woodlands,” said Dr. Venkataraman. “Our team-based approach in performing LAAO with a non-invasive cardiologist has resulted in the exceptional safety and efficacy of LAAO at Houston Methodist the Woodlands.”

Dr. Venkataraman also noted that it is important to acknowledge the giant role played by the exemplary transesophageal echocardiography imaging team of Dr. Preeti Desai and Dr. Rabab Mohsin during these procedures.