<p>Apparatus (610) for closure of a left atrial appendage (220) of a heart, comprising a deployment device (520) configured to enter a pericardial region of the heart and to be advanced toward an outer surface of the left atrial appendage; and first and second rigid longitudinal rod elements (630) coupled to each other by at least one coupling suture (552), the first and second rigid longitudinal rod elements (630) being deployable by the deployment device on opposing external surfaces of the left atrial appendage, and configured to compress tissue of the left atrial appendage due to pulling of at least one proximal portion of the coupling suture (552). Other applications are also described.</p>
