man sitting next to lake

Patient Profiles

See which of your patients may be appropriate for WATCHMAN

High risk of future bleeding event

Every bleed or bruise, no matter how small, can affect a patient’s sense of well-being. 

patient Frank

Frank, 80

Frank is suitable for warfarin, but he is currently taking 15 mg of rivaroxaban daily. He has a history of falls, resulting in a broken hip and cerebral contusion. His physician believes his medical conditions place him at a high risk of major bleeding secondary to trauma.

  • Active, involved grandfather
  • NVAF, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes
  • CHA2DS2-VASc score: 5

What approach do you take with your NVAF patients at high risk for bleeding?

Drug interaction issues

For your patients with comorbidities requiring treatments not compatible with the long-term use of OACs—such as depression, arthritis, and heart bypass surgery—WATCHMAN may be a safe, effective alternative for stroke risk reduction.

patient Bob

Bob, 67

Bob has osteoarthritis as well as NVAF. He had frequent non-major bleeding incidents due to combining his OAC with NSAIDs to manage his osteoarthritis pain, eventually leading to OAC non-compliance.

  • Psychologist
  • NVAF, osteoarthritis
  • CHA2DS2-VASc score: 5

What approach do you take with your NVAF patients experiencing drug interaction issues?

Adherence or compliance issues

About 68% of the patients interested in learning more about WATCHMAN struggle with compliance while taking OACs(ie, labile INRs, adverse effects).1

patient Catherine

Catherine, 72

Catherine takes 5 mg of warfarin but is unable to comply with regular INR monitoring because she lives far from the clinic and cannot afford direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

  • Retired, volunteer
  • NVAF, hypertension, vascular disease
  • CHA2DS2-VASc score: 4

What approach do you take with your NVAF patients who struggle with compliance?

Lifestyle or occupation increase bleeding risk

For patients with active lifestyles or occupations, consider WATCHMAN over the long-term bleeding risks associated with OACs.

patient Abigail

Abigail, 65

Abigail is currently taking 5 mg of warfarin, but her physician feels that her active lifestyle and frequent travel place her at high risk of bleeding should trauma occur.

  • Retired, frequent flyer
  • NVAF, hypertension, diabetes
  • CHA2DS2-VASc score: 4

What approach do you take with your NVAF patients with active lives?

Case descriptions for educational purposes; not real patient cases.

For full information regarding WATCHMAN patient selection factors, please see the WATCHMAN Device Directions for Use (DFU). 

Download the pre-screening checklist
WATCHMAN device

*CHA2DS2-VASc score: Congestive heart failure=1, Hypertension (SBP >160)=1, Age >75 yrs=2, Diabetes mellitus=1, Prior stroke, TIA, or thromboembolism=2, Vascular disease (PAD, MI)=1, Age 65-74 yrs=1, Sex category (female)=1.

†HAS-BLED score: Hypertension=1, Abnormal renal/liver function (1 pt each)=1 or 2, Hemorrhagic stroke=1, Bleeding history or disposition=1, Labile INRs=1, Elderly=1,   Current drugs (medication) or alcohol use (1 pt each)=1 or 2.

References:

  1. Boston Scientific Corporation. (2018). WATCHMAN Salesforce Database. N=19,000.

WATCHMAN FLX Device Brief Summary

Patient Education Resources