Find out more about the WATCHMAN Implant and whether it's right for you.
Get the facts about AFib
Did you know that strokes are the most common complication of AFib?1 The risk is real. But fear of stroke doesn’t have to rule your life.
1 out of 3 people
with AFib will have a stroke in their lifetime2
5x higher stroke risk
in people with AFib vs. people with a regular heartbeat1
4 out of 5 people
with AFib taking a blood thinner would be willing to try a different treatment to reduce stroke risk3
How does atrial fibrillation cause stroke?
Your heart has an electrical system that controls the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat. In a healthy heart, the electrical signals produce a steady heartbeat and blood pumps normally.4
In atrial fibrillation (AFib), the electrical signals are disorganized and the top two chambers of the heart, the atria, beat rapidly and irregularly (fibrillate).4
Because blood isn’t pumped out of the heart normally, it’s easier for blood cells to stick together and form clots in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA).5 If a blood clot escapes, it can travel through the bloodstream to the brain and cause a stroke.4
Reduce your AFib-related stroke risk
Blood thinners are one way to manage stroke risk with AFib
You may be taking a blood thinner, or anticoagulant, to reduce your stroke risk with AFib. Blood thinner names include warfarin (also known as Coumadin®), Eliquis® (apixaban), Pradaxa® (dabigatran), Xarelto® (rivaroxaban), and Savaysa® (edoxaban). These medications are effective at preventing those risky blood clots from forming, but can come with bleeding risks and long-term challenges, such as:
Bleeding risk that grows over time
Daily or twice a day pills
Continuing to take medication as prescribed long-term
Complication of surgical procedures
High ongoing cost**
Regular blood (INR) tests*
Food and drug interaction issues*
*Specific to warfarin
**Excluding warfarin
The WATCHMAN Implant is for people who need an alternative to blood thinners
Ready to leave blood thinners behind?
For people with non-valvular AFib (NVAF), the WATCHMAN Implant is a safe, one-time alternative to blood thinners to reduce stroke risk. The WATCHMAN Implant device reduces the risk of stroke by closing off the left atrial appendage in the heart, where more than 90% of stroke-causing clots are formed.2
There are risks associated with all medical procedures. Please talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of the WATCHMAN Implant.
Learn why over half a million people have chosen the WATCHMAN Implant.
Living with the WATCHMAN Implant
Meet Joyce, an active 87-year-old with AFib who knows, “You’re never too old to improve your life.”
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Next steps
References:
1. FAQ About AFib. American Heart Association, Inc., 2023. Available at: www.heart.org/-/media/Files/Health-Topics/Atrial-Fibrillation/FAQ-About-AFib.pdf. 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. Data on file with Boston Scientific. Atrial Fibrillation Patients survey. The Harris Poll on behalf of Boston Scientific and StopAFib.org; 2018:1-64.
4. Atrial Fibrillation (Afib). Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib. Accessed June 10, 2024.
5. Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAA). Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17167-left-atrial-appendage--closure. Accessed June 10, 2024.
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
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Content on this web page is for Informational Purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and should not be used for medical diagnoses. Boston Scientific strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health or to address any clinical/medical questions.
WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure Implant
Important Safety Information
The WATCHMAN FLX and WATCHMAN FLX Pro Devices are permanent implants designed to close the left atrial appendage in the heart in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke.
With all medical procedures there are risks associated with the implant procedure and the use of the device. The risks include but are not limited to accidental heart puncture, air embolism, allergic reaction, anemia, anesthesia risks, arrhythmias, AV (Arteriovenous) fistula, bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, bruising at the catheter insertion site, clot formation on the device, cranial bleed, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, hypotension, infection/pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary vein obstruction, renal failure, stroke, thrombosis and transient ischemic attack. In rare cases death can occur.
Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of the device.