Watchman Implant for Atrial Fibrillation
If you have atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem, the Watchman™ implant can protect you from a stroke and eliminate your need to take blood thinners.
Innovative, Beneficial Heart Treatments
Choose Adventist HealthCare for the advanced Watchman implant treatment. Take advantage of our 60-plus years of experience providing the communities we serve with the best possible heart and vascular treatments. The Watchman implant is another innovative treatment available at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center.
Atrial Fibrillation & Stroke Risk
You’re much more likely to have a stroke with atrial fibrillation (Afib) because blood may clot in your heart's left atrial appendage (LAA). Clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Doctors often prescribe a blood thinner (anticoagulant medication) to prevent your blood from forming clots.
Will the Watchman Implant Work for You?
See an expert cardiologist at Adventist HealthCare to help you decide if the Watchman heart implant is right for you. The Watchman procedure offers a safe, permanent option to reduce the risk of stroke and improve quality of life.
Blood Thinner Alternative
A Watchman implant may be an appropriate treatment alternative to blood thinners if you have:
- Bleeding risk
- Interactions with other medications
- Occupation or lifestyle not compatible with blood thinners
- Side effects from taking blood thinners
- Trouble remembering to take medications
Implant Safety & Success
When considering a medical procedure, you want to be sure it’s safe and effective. The Watchman device is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and has almost 20 years of clinical trial and real-world experience. It has a proven safety record. Patients worldwide receive the Watchman implant with:
- High procedure success rate
- Low complication rates
- Long-term cost savings when compared to taking blood thinners for life
- Long life when compared with taking Warfarin (type of blood thinner)
Watchman Implant Benefits
Get lasting health benefits from the minimally invasive Watchman implant procedure, such as:
- One-time, permanent procedure
- Lifetime stroke risk reduction
- Takes less than one hour to complete
- Usually only requires an overnight stay in the hospital
- Discontinue blood thinner medication about 45 days after the procedure
What to Expect
Trust the interventional cardiologists at Adventist HealthCare to perform your Watchman implant.
Implant Procedure
You’ll receive general anesthesia before the procedure begins. During the procedure, your doctor will use a minimally invasive technique to guide a catheter containing the Watchman implant through a groin vein. The catheter moves up into your heart’s left chamber. Your doctor will push the implant through the catheter and into the opening of your LAA. The flexible Watchman implant opens and plugs the LAA.
Recovery
You’ll be up and moving the same day as your procedure. Doctors recommend an overnight stay at the hospital for observation, and then you’ll return home the next day.
After the Procedure
Your heart tissue will typically grow over the Watchman implant to seal the LAA within four to six weeks after your procedure. Expect your doctor to monitor this process by taking pictures of your heart tissue formation and implant position. You'll go off blood-thinning medication when your LAA is permanently closed off.
Your doctor will prescribe clopidogrel (antiplatelet medication) and aspirin for six months. These medications help your body adjust to the implant and prevent clots. After that, you’ll take only aspirin long-term.
Insurance Coverage
Medicare covers the implant if you meet certain coverage criteria and many commercial insurers cover the cost. Contact your health insurance company to find out about your coverage for this treatment.
