Pericardial patch closure of left atrial appendage orifice.

Seven patients underwent pericardial patch closure of the left atrial appendage orifice in our clinic. Usually 5-to-7 U-sutures with 4-0 prolene were placed to the left atrial appendage orifice. These sutures were stretched out to measure exact sizes of the left atrial appendage orifice. Then, U-sutures were passed through the pericardial patch which was treated with glutaraldehyde. Pericardium was placed over the left atrial appendage orifice through the left atrium and stay sutures were tied. The upper suture was continuously sutured along the border of the orifice clockwise and tied to the lower suture. The lower suture was continuously sutured in a counter-clockwise direction and tied to the upper suture. Then, mitral valve surgery (repair or replacement) was performed.