G. V. Prakash Kumar
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There’s an alternative to blood thinners for people who need one. It’s called the WATCHMAN Implant. The most implanted, FDA-approved device proven to reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also referred to as non-valvular AFib).
- Watchman Device Procedure
If you have AFib & are looking for an alternative to blood...
- See How Watchman Works
The WATCHMAN Implant is a one-time, minimally invasive...
- Eligibility for Watchman
The WATCHMAN FLX and WATCHMAN FLX Pro Devices are permanent...
- Overview Watchman LAAC Implant for Referring Physicians
* Procedure success defined as successful delivery and...
- Afib & Stroke Risk
The average person with atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is 5...
- Alternative to Blood Thinners
WATCHMAN is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure that...
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WATCHMAN FLX TM ist für Personen gedacht, deren...
- Find a Watchman Medical Center
The WATCHMAN FLX and WATCHMAN FLX Pro Devices are permanent...
- Watchman Device Procedure
Sep 13, 2022 · The WATCHMAN is a device implanted into the heart to close the left atrial appendage and reduce the chance of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. Learn about the purpose, risks, preparation, and recovery of this alternative to blood thinners.
The WATCHMAN Implant is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners. It fits into the left atrial appendage of the heart and reduces the risk of stroke by keeping blood clots from escaping.
Aug 9, 2023 · Watchman is a device that closes the left atrial appendage in the heart to prevent blood clots from escaping and causing a stroke. Learn about the purpose, risks, preparation, and recovery of this minimally invasive surgery for people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
- Kathi Valeii
- Overview
- What is the Watchman procedure for atrial fibrillation?
- Who are candidates for the Watchman procedure for atrial fibrillation?
- What are the potential benefits of the Watchman procedure for atrial fibrillation?
- What are the potential risks of the Watchman procedure for atrial fibrillation?
- What other treatments are available for atrial fibrillation?
- Takeaway
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The Watchman procedure can reduce your risk of stroke if you have atrial fibrillation and cannot take blood thinners. However, it’s also associated with some risks that you should be aware of.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of arrhythmia where the upper chambers of your heart beat irregularly and often too quickly. Between 3 and 6 million people in the United States have AFib.
The effects of AFib can cause blood to pool in your heart, increasing your risk of blood clots that can lead to stroke. In fact, people with AFib have a five-fold increased risk of stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Implantation of a Watchman device is a procedure that can help reduce stroke risk in people with AFib. This article explains what the Watchman procedure is all about, who’s a good candidate, and its risks and benefits.
One goal of AFib treatment is reducing the risk of serious blood clots that can lead to stroke or other health complications. Often, a healthcare professional prescribes long-term use of blood thinners to help prevent blood clots from forming.
However, in many people with AFib, a healthcare professional does not prescribe blood thinning medications. This may be due to factors like:
•bleeding risk
•other side effects of blood thinners
•not taking blood thinners as prescribed
The Watchman procedure is another approach to reducing the risk of stroke in people with AFib. It uses a catheter to place a small, parachute-shaped device that blocks off the left atrial appendage (LAA).
Generally speaking, the Watchman procedure is a treatment option for people with AFib who cannot take blood thinners long term to reduce the risk of stroke.
One of the major side effects of blood thinners is bleeding. In many cases, this bleeding is minor. However, serious bleeding events can also occur, such as bleeding within the skull or gastrointestinal tract.
Your doctor will assess your risk of bleeding prior to prescribing blood thinners. They often use an assessment tool called the HAS-BLED score, which considers many factors, including:
•your age
•if you have a history of:
•high blood pressure
Early clinical trials, referred to as PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL, found that the Watchman procedure was noninferior to warfarin, a blood thinner used for AFib, in preventing stroke.
More recent research indicated that LAA occlusion procedures, which include the Watchman procedure, were noninferior to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) at preventing major cardiovascular, neurological, or bleeding events related to AFib. DOACs are another type of blood thinner used for AFib.
Saying that the procedure is noninferior means that it did not perform worse than blood thinners. This supports the Watchman procedure being an option for people who cannot take blood thinners as a long-term therapy.
Further study of the Watchman procedure in the PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL trials found that the procedure success rate was 94%. Compared to no treatment, stroke rates were reduced by 78% and 69% in the PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL trials, respectively.
Like any procedure or surgery, the Watchman procedure is associated with a variety of risks. Some of the potential complications of the Watchman procedure include:
•a reaction to the anesthesia or to the device
•infection
•major bleeding
•blood clots, including those that form around the device
•pericardial effusion, which is when fluid builds up around the heart
In addition to the Watchman procedure and blood thinners, which both aim to prevent strokes, there are other treatments for AFib. These include:
•antiarrhythmic drugs to manage heart rhythm
•drugs like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower heart rate
•medications to manage other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
•lifestyle changes like:
•being physically active
The Watchman procedure can help prevent stroke in people with AFib. It may be recommended for people who cannot take blood thinners to reduce stroke risk.
Having the Watchman procedure can effectively reduce your risk of stroke if you have AFib. However, it’s also associated with a variety of potential risks as well.
The Watchman procedure is a device that blocks the left atrial appendage to reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation who cannot take blood thinners. Learn who is a candidate, what are the potential complications, and what other treatments are available for AFib.
WATCHMAN Implant is a device that closes the left atrial appendage in the heart to reduce stroke risk for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. Learn how to talk to your cardiologist, find a center, and see if you're eligible for this one-time procedure.
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Jan 10, 2023 · The Watchman device is a heart implant that can prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation. Learn about the possible complications, benefits, and eligibility criteria of this procedure.
