Oklahoma Doctors Offer New Alternative For Heart Patients

For the first time in Oklahoma - doctors are offering a cutting edge solution for people at risk for stroke.

The Oklahoma Heart Institute says the new LARIAT procedure is a non-invasive alternative for people who can not tolerate blood thinners. And for patients with Atrial Fibrillation - it can virtually eliminate their risk for stroke.

Doctors say the LARIAT is a tool like a lasso, and is inserted through a puncture in the chest. 

"And this lasso is a suture or a stitch that comes around the left atrial appendage, which is a part of the heart where blood clots and stroke come from. And it just closes it off, so blood clots can't form and strokes can't happen anymore," said Dr. Gregory Cogert, cardiologist. 

Dr. Cogert says patients who qualify won't have to endure open-heart surgery, and they can often go home the next day with just a band aid on their chest.