WATCHMAN™
The WATCHMAN™ procedure may be an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners.
Did you know 20% of strokes are caused by an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation, or AFib? Traditionally, the common treatment for AFib was blood-thinning medication, such as Warfarin. However, the long-term uses of blood thinners increase the risk of internal bleeding. The procedure known as the WATCHMAN™ device is an implant used to permanently stave off blood clots that cause a stroke without the need for blood thinners.
What are the Benefits of the WATCHMAN™ Implant?
Those with AFib are five times more likely to have a stroke compared to those with a regular heartbeat. WATCHMAN™ is a potentially life-changing procedure that can limit the odds of a stroke for a lifetime. It's the only clinically studied implant that has been approved by the FDA. The most significant benefit is that 96% of patients who have received the implant were able to eliminate blood thinners just 45 days after the treatment. Only a very small number of patients will continue to take blood thinners after left atrial appendage (LAA) treatment.
Am I a Candidate for WATCHMAN™?
Your doctor may recommend implanting a WATCHMAN™ device if you:
- Are at increased risk of stroke and blood-thinning medication is recommended
- Have AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
- Have a history of bleeding problems while taking blood thinners or are unable to tolerate their side effects
- Have a medical condition, occupation or lifestyle that increases your risk of major bleeding due to trauma
- Have trouble staying within the recommended blood-clotting range
You should not have a WATCHMAN™ device implanted if you:
- Are allergic to a material in the device, such as nickel or titanium
- Can’t take blood thinners for a short period of time after the device has been implanted (45 days)
- Need to take blood thinners for a reason other than AFib
- Should not or cannot undergo heart catheterization procedures