If you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), you and your doctor may be weighing your treatment options. Some treatments, like cardiac ablation, help control your heart’s rate or rhythm, while others — including the WATCHMAN Implant — can help lower your risk of AFib-related stroke, without the need for lifelong blood thinners.1 Some people can even get an ablation and the WATCHMAN Implant procedures done during the same session.
There are risks associated with all medical procedures. Please talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of the WATCHMAN Implant.
The WATCHMAN Implant is a safe, one-time, minimally invasive procedure that reduces AFib stroke risk for life and eliminates the need for long-term, daily blood thinners. It works by permanently sealing off the left atrial appendage (LAA), a small pouch in the heart where most blood clots form in people with AFib.2
Many doctors recommend combining ablation with the WATCHMAN Implant to treat AFib symptoms, address AFib progression, and reduce stroke risk at the same time—all with one visit and one recovery.
When ablation and WATCHMAN Implant treatments are done together, typically the ablation happens first. The doctor first guides the cardiac ablation catheter (a thin tube) to the heart from a small cut made in the upper leg to treat the areas of the heart causing irregular heartbeats. Then the doctor places the WATCHMAN Implant in the LAA. Over time, heart tissue grows over the device, creating a permanent barrier against blood clots.
Reduce AFib stroke risk without long-term blood thinners
Treat symptoms and reduce stroke risk together
Treat AFib symptoms at the source
In general, cardiac ablation helps manage AFib symptoms by treating the areas of the heart that cause irregular rhythms. The WATCHMAN Implant is an alternative to blood thinners to reduce your AFib stroke risk for life. For some people, combining both procedures can offer the benefit of better symptom control and stroke protection in one session.
Understanding how these options differ can help you have a more informed conversation with your doctor about what's right for you. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your personal health profile and treatment goals.
Your doctor will evaluate your stroke risk, symptoms and medical history to guide you toward the best treatment plan.
Find out if you’re a candidate for the WATCHMAN Implant. Take the quiz
The WATCHMAN Implant doesn’t cure AFib or stop irregular heartbeats. It’s designed to reduce the risk of stroke from AFib for people who need an alternative to blood thinners. You may still need other treatments to manage AFib symptoms.
While cardiac ablation can reduce AFib symptoms, stroke risk may still remain, especially for people at higher risk. Guidelines note that long-term blood thinner decisions after ablation should be based on a person’s stroke risk, not only on whether the ablation improved symptoms.3
That’s why many doctors recommend combining these procedures to treat symptoms and reduce stroke risk at the same time.
Ablation and the WATCHMAN Implant treat different parts of AFib. Cardiac ablation reduces AFib symptoms. The WATCHMAN Implant reduces AFib-related stroke risk, eliminating the need for lifelong blood thinners.2,3
In a clinical trial, 96% of people were able to stop their blood thinners 45 days after getting the WATCHMAN Implant.2
Yes! Studies have shown that getting a WATCHMAN Implant after or at the same time as an ablation can protect against stroke just as well as blood thinners, and with less bleeding risk than long-term blood thinners.4
Pulsed field ablation for AFib is one of the latest AFib treatments: it’s the next generation of safe, effective cardiac ablation. Pulsed field ablation is a new ablation approach that uses brief electrical impulses to target the heart tissue that is causing irregular rhythms. Because it’s designed to act more selectively on heart tissue, it may help reduce damage to nearby structures.5 That’s compared to other traditional cardiac ablation methods, including heat-based radiofrequency ablation and cold-based cryoablation. Your doctor will recommend the best ablation type for your unique health circumstances.3
Not always. Current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommend continuing blood thinners for at least 3 months after ablation, with longer use based on individual stroke risk.3 Researchers are still learning more about when it may be safe to stop blood thinners after cardiac ablation.3 That’s why some people consider the WATCHMAN Implant after an ablation—because it's an alternative to lifelong blood thinners for those who need one.
Recovery varies by individual, but both procedures are considered minimally invasive. Clinical trials show that getting the WATCHMAN Implant at the same time as a cardiac ablation doesn’t significantly increase the risk of post-procedure complications.4 WATCHMAN Implant recovery time is typically short, with many people going home within a day and returning to normal activities within a few days. Most people have follow-up visits at 45 days, 6 months, and 12 months to make sure the device is working properly. Talk to your doctor about your post-procedure appointments.
Yes! There are risks with any medical procedure. But a clinical trial found that for people who had both procedures at the same time, getting an ablation and WATCHMAN Implant was just as safe as getting an ablation alone.2 The trial also showed that after an ablation, the WATCHMAN Implant was just as safe as blood thinners and just as effective at reducing stroke risk. Additionally, people with the WATCHMAN Implant were 50% less likely to have a bleeding event than people on long-term blood thinners.4,6
Your eligibility can change over time. Tell your doctor if you experience issues while being on a blood thinner or develop other health conditions, since these factors may impact your eligibility for the WATCHMAN Implant. For more support, talk to a WATCHMAN Education Specialist at 1 (866) 870-7863.
The WATCHMAN Implant is covered for eligible Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients who meet the specified national coverage criteria. And it’s covered by 98% of commercial insurers. Talk to your insurance provider to best understand your plan and coverage.
There is no national Medicare policy that specifies coverage criteria for cardiac ablation procedures. Medicare Advantage and Commercial coverage is varied for cardiac ablation procedures, therefore contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage for a combined treatment. Your provider may request a prior authorization or pre-certification. Your doctor's office will likely work with you to complete this process. If your coverage is denied, you can work with your doctor on an appeal.
Get back to what you love with the WATCHMAN Implant. Learn more about life after the WATCHMAN procedure.
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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.
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 puncture of the heart causing fluid to collect around the heart possibly leading towards the need for an additional procedure, allergic reaction, anesthesia risks, altered mental status or confusion after procedure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, chest pain/discomfort, congestive heart failure, renal failure, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, bruising at the catheter insertion site, groin pain, anemia (reduced red blood cells requiring transfusion), hypotension, infection/pneumonia (example: in or around your heart or lungs), misplacement of the device, improper seal of the appendage or movement of device from appendage wall, clot formation on the device, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, stroke, transient ischemic attack (temporary stroke-like symptoms), cranial bleed (bleeding in or around your brain), thrombosis (blockage of a blood vessel or vein by a clot) and 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. SH-2109508-AA
