The Watchman Device
Atrial fibrillation puts you at higher risk for having a stroke because blood clots can be formed in certain areas of the heart. Typically a blood thinner is used to reduce the risk. Patients who cannot tolerate long-term blood thinners or a wish not to take them can instead have a Watchman device implanted in their heart. This device is placed though a catheter from the groin and does not need open heart surgery. In most cases, once the device is implanted we do not need to continue with long-term blood thinners.
The Watchman device is a permanent, minimally invasive implant offered by Citrus Cardiology Consultants for patients with Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) who are at higher risk for stroke due to blood clots. It serves as an alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate or prefer not to take long-term blood thinners, aiming to reduce stroke risk without ongoing medication. This device is implanted via a catheter from the groin, avoiding open-heart surgery, and typically takes less than one hour with an average hospital stay of 24 hours. A primary benefit is that, in most cases, patients do not need to continue with long-term blood thinners after its implantation.
The Watchman Explained
Is the Watchman Device Procedure Minimally Invasive?
Is the Watchman Device a Permanent Implant?
How Long Does a Typical Watchman Device Procedure Take?
