A membrane applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage for blocking blood from
entering the atrial appendage which can form blood clots therein is disclosed.
The membrane also prevents blood clots in the atrial appendage from escaping therefrom
and entering the blood stream which can result in a blocked blood vessel, leading
to strokes and heart attacks. The membranes are percutaneously installed in patients
experiencing atrial fibrillations and other heart conditions where thrombosis may
form in the atrial appendages. A variety of means for securing the membranes in
place are disclosed. The membranes may be held in place over the ostium of the
atrial appendage or fill the inside of the atrial appendage. The means for holding
the membranes in place over the ostium of the atrial appendages include prongs,
stents, anchors with tethers or springs, disks with tethers or springs, umbrellas,
spiral springs filling the atrial appendages, and adhesives. After the membrane
is in place a filler substance may be added inside the atrial appendage to reduce
the volume, help seal the membrane against the ostium or clot the blood in the
atrial appendage. The membranes may have anticoagulants to help prevent thrombosis.
The membranes be porous such that endothelial cells cover the membrane presenting
a living membrane wall to prevent thrombosis. The membranes may have means to center
the membranes over the ostium. Sensors may be attached to the membrane to provide
information about the patient.