Watchman
Can the WATCHMAN™ help you?
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. Often shortened to A-Fib, atrial fibrillation is an irregular beating in the upper chambers of the heart that can increase the risk for blood clots, stroke and other serious heart problems. For the millions of Americans who suffer from atrial fibrillation, the WATCHMAN™ could offer the help they need.
What is the WATCHMAN™?
The WATCHMAN™ is a permanent heart implant that effectively reduces the risk of stroke, without the risk of bleeding that can come with the use of long term anticoagulants like Warfarin, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis or Savaysa which are used to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation. Additional benefits for patients include the elimination of frequent blood tests and food and drink restrictions that come with warfarin usage.
The WATCHMAN™ has a proven safety record, with more than 30,000 procedures performed worldwide and more than 10 years of U.S. clinical studies.
How does the WATCHMAN™ work?
In atrial fibrillation, your heart’s ability to pump blood normally is compromised. This can cause blood to pool in the left atrial appendage (also called the LAA), where it can form a clot. If the blood clot travels to another part of the body, it has the potential to cut off the blood supply to the brain and cause a stroke.
The WATCHMAN™ is a permanent device that is implanted into your LAA. It works by stopping any possible blood clots from escaping. It does not have to be replaced, and it is not visible in any way outside of the body. The WATCHMAN™ is implanted in the same method as a standard stent procedure under general anesthesia. The procedure itself takes about one hour, and patients typically spend only one night in the hospital afterward.
Visit our services page to learn more about the WATCHMAN™. If you would like to schedule an appointment to find out if the WATCHMAN™ is right for you, please call our office at (318) 798-9400.