If you have AFib not caused by a heart valve problem and you need an alternative to blood thinners, the WATCHMAN Implant may be right for you.
The WATCHMAN Implant: a life-changing alternative
Ready to leave blood thinners behind? The WATCHMAN Implant is an option to reduce stroke risk for people with non-valvular AFib who need an alternative to blood thinners. Watch the video to learn more and talk to your doctor about the WATCHMAN Implant.
How the WATCHMAN Implant works
The effect of AFib on your left atrial appendage (LAA)
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, affects your heart’s ability to pump blood normally. This can cause blood to pool in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage, or LAA. There, blood cells can stick together and form a clot.1
When a blood clot escapes from the LAA and travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke.1
In people with non-valvular AFib (NV-AFib), more than 90% of stroke-causing clots are formed in the LAA.2 That’s why closing off this part of the heart is an effective way to reduce stroke risk.
How the WATCHMAN Implant protects you against clots
The WATCHMAN implant fits right into your LAA. Its designed to permanently seal it off and prevent clot formation. Unlike blood thinners which require ongoing prescriptions, the WATCHMAN is a one time cost effective lifelong stroke prevention solution. The WATCHMAN Implant is about the size of a coin, made from light materials commonly used for medical implants.
Freedom from blood thinners
The WATCHMAN Implant fits right into your LAA. It’s designed to permanently close it off and keep those blood clots from escaping. The WATCHMAN Implant device is about the size of a quarter and made from very light and compact materials commonly used in many other medical implants.
Next steps
References:
1. Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAA). Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17167-left-atrial-appendage--closure. Accessed June 10, 2024.
2. Blackshear JL, Odell JA. Appendage obliteration to reduce stroke in cardiac surgical patients with atrial fibrillation. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996;61:755-759.
3. Kar, S., et al, Primary Outcome Evaluation of the Next Generation LAAC Device: Results from the PINNACLE FLX Trial, Circulation, 2021.
CAUTION:
The law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Indications, contraindications, warnings, and instructions for use can be found in the product labelling supplied with each device. Products shown for INFORMATION purposes only and may not be approved or for sale in certain countries. This material not intended for use in France.