Heart closure device to safely stop blood thinners in atrial fibrillation patients with bladder bleeding

This study gathers medical information from patients who have atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) and are taking blood thinners, but who are also experiencing bleeding in their bladder from prior radiation therapy. The research team wants to understand whether a small device placed in the heart—called a left atrial closure device—might allow these patients to safely pause or stop their blood thinner medication without risking dangerous blood clots.

Many people with atrial fibrillation need blood thinners to prevent stroke, but these medications can make bladder bleeding worse, creating a difficult situation where the medicine meant to protect the heart causes painful and dangerous bleeding. This study exists to learn whether implanting a heart closure device could offer these patients a way out of this trap by protecting them from clots without the medication.