One-time Implant that can Help Reduce AFib Stroke Risk
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia. An arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too slowly, too fast, or irregularly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, atrial fibrillation increases a person's risk for stroke causing about one in seven stroke cases. Atrial fibrillation causes blood to pool in your heart, which increases your risk of forming clots.
An atrial fibrillation-induced stroke occurs when one blood clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain. Strokes caused by complications of this condition tend to be more severe than strokes with other underlying causes.
An Alternative to Blood Thinners
Blood thinners or anticoagulants can be an effective way to lower the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. However, there is an increased risk of bleeding with the long-term use of blood thinners, which can be life-threatening. Blood-thinning medications can lead to lifestyle limitations like:
- Negative interactions with food and drugs
- Side effects that can be difficult to tolerate
- Ongoing monitoring of medication
WATCHMAN is an FDA-approved implant about the size of a quarter and made from very light and compact materials commonly used in many other medical implants. The WATCHMAN implant permanently closes off your left atrial appendage to reduce the risk of stroke. The positive results of the WATCHMAN implant may include:
- Stroke risk reduction
- Long-term anticoagulation therapy cessation
- Better quality of life
What Is the WATCHMAN Procedure?
Similar to a stent procedure, your doctor makes a small cut in your upper leg and inserts a narrow tube, then guides the Implant through the tube into the left atrial appendage. The procedure requires general anesthesia and typically takes less than an hour. Most patients who undergo the WATCHMAN procedure stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day.
Your doctor may recommend blood-thinning medications following the procedure for up to 45 days or until your left atrial appendage is permanently closed off. During this time, heart tissue will form a barrier over the implant to protect against blood clots. Your doctor will monitor this process by taking images of your heart to check when you can stop taking your blood thinners.
You may need to take medications, including aspirin, for six months or longer. A small number of patients may need to keep taking blood thinners long-term.
Watch this video to know more about the WATCHMAN implant minimally invasive procedure.
