Skip to main content Skip to home page
 

WATCHMAN™ Device

The WATCHMAN™ Difference
WATCHMAN is a one-time procedure that reduces the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. WATCHMAN is as effective at reducing the risk of stroke as warfarin.

But unlike warfarin, the WATCHMAN Implant also reduces the long-term risk of bleeding. Newer blood thinners offer an option to warfarin, but they don't take away the long-term risk of bleeding. 
 

The WATCHMAN™ Procedure
WATCHMAN is implanted like a stent, by means of a narrow tube inserted through a small cut in your upper leg. Your doctor will then guide WATCHMAN into your heart.

The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day.

 

 

 

WATCHMAN™ Safety
The WATCHMAN Implant has a proven record of safety—with over 20,000 procedures performed worldwide and over 10 years of clinical studies in more than 2,000 patients. It is the only device of its kind approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

 

Is WATCHMAN™ an Option for Me? 
WATCHMAN is for people who:

  • Have atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve problems
  • Have been recommended to take blood thinning medicines by their doctor
  • Can take warfarin but need an alternative to blood thinners because they have a history of bleeding or a lifestyle that puts them at risk for bleeding

People who should NOT be considered for the WATCHMAN™  Implant, but are not limited to: 

  • Patients who cannot take warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel 
  • Patients who should not or cannot undergo heart catheterization procedures 
  • Patients who have an allergy or sensitivity to nitinol (nickel and titanium) or any of the other materials in the WATCHMAN Implant
  • Patients with a left atrial appendage that is too large or too small to fit the WATCHMAN Implant 
For Patients

If you have AFib, it's important to learn about the treatments to help reduce your stroke risk.  Blood thinners (anticoagulants) are very effective in lowering AFib stroke risk.  And most people can take them safely for years without serious side effects. But for some, they can be too risky due to bleeding complications - or too difficult to tolerate because of side effects.  For these patients, there is an alternative:  the WATCHMAN™ Implant. 

The WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device is a first-of-its-kind, proven alternative to long-term warfarin therapy for stroke risk reduction in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

 
The WATCHMAN™ LAAO Device offers a potentially life-changing stroke risk treatment option which could free indicated patients from the challenges of long-term warfarin therapy.
 

The One-Time Procedure That May Reduce Stroke Risk for a Lifetime

If you have atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve problems and need an alternative to blood thinners, you'll want to learn about the WATCHMAN™ Implant. View these patient experiences below. 

After experiencing a stroke due to her blood thinners, Marjorie was afraid to be on blood thinners long-term. That's why she opted for the WATCHMAN , a permanent, one-time implant.

 

Bill Moates shares how the WATCHMAN Implant allows him to enjoy the little things in life without the risks of long-term blood thinners.
 
 

If you have questions regarding the WATCHMAN Implant, call our structural heart coordinator, Kelly Johnson at 812-492-5761 or fill out the form below.

Contact Us

Top Back to top