WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) is an implant-based alternative to blood thinners for patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem. When a blood clot develops in the heart of a patient with AFib, it is most often found within the left atrial appendage, a small pouch on top of the heart. An LAAC implant acts as a barrier to prevent left atrial appendage blood clots from entering the bloodstream and causing a stroke.
It is important to know that a stroke can be due to factors not related to a clot travelling to the brain from the let atrial appendages. Other causes of stroke include: high blood pressure, and narrowing of the blood vessels to the brain. An LAAC implant does not prevent these other causes of stroke.
It is also important to understand that, like blood-thinning medications, an LAAC implant does not cure AFib.
Specific factors that need to be considered for the WATCHMAN Device and implantation procedure include:
- Overall medical status, including conditions which might preclude the safety of a percutaneous, transcatheter procedure.
- Suitability for percutaneous, trans-septal procedures, including considerations of:
- cardiac anatomy relating to LAA size and shape
vascular access anatomy
- ability to tolerate general or local anesthesia
- ability to undergo required imaging
- ability to comply with recommended post-WATCHMAN Device implant
- pharmacologic regimen
- Warfarin plus aspirin for at least 45 days post-device implantation
Clopidogrel and aspirin through six months post-procedure
- Aspirin indefinitely
Watchman Left Atrial Appendage DTP Animation Video
Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Implant Animation
Discuss your specific health condition with your doctor as you consider all your options to reduce your risk of stroke from AFib. – Read Press Release
Someone to Watch Over Me
A story about the tiny WATCHMAN™ that lives in this patient's heart, guarding her against the risk of a disabling or life-threatening stroke.
Read Marcia's Story