What is Left Atrial Appendage Closure with the Watchman Device?

Afib Medications

Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Risk

Patients with Atrial Fibrillation or AFib have an increased risk of stroke. This happens because blood clots can form in an area called the left atrial appendage. If the clots dislodge the can travel (or embolize) to the brain, causing a stroke.

How can we prevent strokes in AFib?

There are two ways to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation:

Oral Anticoagulants or blood thinners
- These medications can be used to prevent blood clots from being formed in the heart
- However, they will increase a patient’s risk of bleeding as well. And some patients are not able to tolerate oral anticoagulants (or blood thinners) for a long time

Left Atrial Appendage Closure with the Watchman Device
- With the knowledge that most strokes in patients with AFib come from the left atrial appendage, devices were developed that close that area in the heart. Once deployed, heart tissue grow over the device, completely occluding the appendage.
- Patients that undergo left atrial appendage closure with the watchman device are able to safely stop the blood thinners