watchman device and heart placement

Watchman

Electrophysiology

WATCHMANTM:  a revolutionary approach to reducing stroke risk from a-fib

heart_-squares_watchman2.pngThe WATCHMAN™ left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device was developed for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) as an alternative to the blood thinners they often take to reduce their stroke risk. 

AFib is an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause irregular heart beating and can cause blood to pool and clot inside the heart. That clot, if released, could cause a stroke which can be fatal or disabling. The WATCHMAN™ device closes off the left atrial appendage, which is the most common place where clots can form, enabling most people to stop their blood thinning medication. This therapy can be an important option for patients who are at risk of bleeding.

CMC is a leader in the minimally-invasive WATCHMAN™ procedure, being the first hospital in New England to implant the device after FDA approval. We were also one of the first sites in the world to enroll WATCHMAN™ and to implant the new WATCHMAN FLX™. In 2024, CMC physicians hit an important milestone they implanted the 800th WATCHMAN device since the inception of the program in 2015. 

 
Read the PATIENT BROCHURE


 

 

WATCHMANTM

See how it works

An alternative to blood thinners

FAQs

Is WATCHMANTM right for you?
How big is the WATCHMANTM and will I feel it?
WATCHMANTM is about the size of a quarter and made from very light and compact materials commonly used in many other medical implants.  You will not be able to feel it inside your body.
Who may benefit from the WATCHMANTM?
The WATCHMANTM may be right for patients who have atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also known as non-valvular AFib), have been recommended for blood thinning medicines by their doctor, and can take anticoagulant medications but need an alternative.  In 2017, CMC began a trial that also tests the effectiveness of the WATCHMANTM in patients who have no tolerance for blood thinners.
What is the procedure like?
WATCHMANTM is implanted into your heart in a catheterization procedure. It’s a permanent device that doesn’t have to be replaced and can’t be seen outside the body.

To implant WATCHMANTM, your doctor makes a small cut in your upper leg and inserts a catheter. Your doctor then guides WATCHMANTM into the left atrial appendage (LAA) of your heart. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day.
What happens after the procedure?
Following the WATCHMANTM procedure, you’ll likely take warfarin (a common blood thinner) for 45 days or until your LAA is permanently closed off. During this time, heart tissue will grow over the implant to form a barrier against blood clots. Your doctor will monitor this process by taking pictures of your heart to see when you can stop taking warfarin.

Your doctor will then prescribe a medicine called clopidogrel (also known as Plavix®) and aspirin for you to take for six months. After that, you’ll continue to take aspirin on an ongoing basis. A very small number of patients may need to keep taking blood thinners long term.
How does the WATCHMANTM work?
AFib affects your heart’s ability to pump blood normally. This can cause blood to pool in the heart, most commonly in an area called the left atrial appendage, or LAA. There, blood cells can stick together and form a clot.

The WATCHMANTM implant fits right into your LAA. It’s designed to permanently close it off and prevent stroke from the most common source of blood clots.

 
Meet our

WATCHMAN team

For more information on the WATCHMAN™ or to set up a consult with a doctor, please call: 603.314.7242
 

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