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About the WATCHMAN procedure

A minimally invasive, one-time procedure with an average hospital stay of one day or less.

How WATCHMAN works

In non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib), >90% of stroke-causing clots that come from the left atrium are formed in the left atrial appendage (LAA).1

The WATCHMAN Implant is a minimally invasive, one-time procedure designed to reduce the risk of strokes that originate in the LAA.

An orange infinity icon. Permanent implant

Permanent implant

An orange scalpel icon with a line through it. Minimally invasive

Minimally invasive

An orange calendar icon. 1 day or less average hospital stay

1 day or less average hospital stay

A one-time procedure that delivers a lifetime of stroke risk reduction, without oral anticoagulant (OAC) bleed risk.

Learn how the WATCHMAN FLX Pro Implant works.


 

WATCHMAN FLX Pro Implant design

Built on the proven performance of WATCHMAN FLX, WATCHMAN FLX Pro is the latest WATCHMAN device with features designed to promote faster healing.2

WATCHMAN FLX Pro device with feature callouts.
NOTE: Enhanced healing response demonstrated in pre-clinical model with no anticoagulation.

WATCHMAN LAAC Implant procedure overview

Rendering of guidewire and vessel dilator entering body of patient.

Step 1: Access

Using a standard percutaneous technique, a guidewire and vessel dilator are inserted into the femoral vein. The implant procedure is performed with fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Rendering of guidewire and vessel dilator entering the heart of patient.

Step 2: Cross

The interatrial septum is crossed using a standard transseptal access system. The access sheath is advanced over the guidewire into the left atrium and then navigated into the distal portion of the LAA over a pigtail catheter.

Rendering of WATCHMAN Implant being released in heart.

Step 3: Deploy

The WATCHMAN Implant is deployed and released in the LAA.

Rendering of heart tissue growing over WATCHMAN Implant.

Step 4: Heal

Heart tissue grows over the implant and the LAA is permanently sealed. Patients will then follow the post-implant drug regimen as prescribed by their physician.

Rendering of WATCHMAN Implant fully endothelialized in heart.

Step 5: Protect

The implant is fully endothelialized.


Flexibility to choose the appropriate post-implant drug regimen

The WATCHMAN Implant provides the flexibility to select the ideal drug regimen that is best for your patient with clinical outcomes that support safety and efficacy in preventing thrombosis and consequent stroke.

As always, you should exercise clinical judgment based on individual patient characteristics in determining the most appropriate use of anti-thrombotic drugs for the post-implant medication regimen. 

 

WATCHMAN FLX Pro device.

Post-implant drug regimen options

Post-implant drug regimen option charts.

* Excludes Warfarin.
† Pre-procedure ASA is per physician discretion if the physician intends to prescribe NOAC alone for the patient post-procedure.
‡ Continued indefinitely.


 

Top medical institutions across the country perform the WATCHMAN Implant procedure

  • More than 850 major medical centers across the U.S. are certified to implant WATCHMAN 
  • The WATCHMAN physician training program involves multiple phases including didactic training, imaging training, training in patient selection, device selection, complication management, and optional physician proctoring.
    • Individual physicians and/or the collective physician team must be proficient in transseptal skills prior to entering the WATCHMAN training program.

Explore concomitant AFib ablation and WATCHMAN Implant procedures


References: 
1. Blackshear JL., Odell JA. Annals of Thoracic Surg. 1996; 61: 755-759.

2. Saliba, W. et al. JACC EP, May 2023. Bench testing or pre-clinical study results may not necessarily be indicative of clinical performance. N=12 in a pre-clinical canine study.

3. Bench study performed under CT by Boston Scientific. Data on file.