Watchman Device Helps Reduce Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Stroke Risk

How does Afib increase stroke risk?

The average person with atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is five times more likely to have a stroke than someone with a regular heartbeat.¹ That’s because AFib can decrease the heart’s pumping capacity by as much as 30%.² 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).^{2, 3} When a blood clot escapes from the LAA and travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke.^{1, 4}

In people with atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve problems (the most common type of AFib), more than 90% of stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the LAA.³

Worry less with WATCHMAN.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners may benefit from WATCHMAN—a new one-time, minimally invasive procedure now available locally at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals designed to reduce the risk of stroke.

“The WATCHMAN is designed to permanently close off the left atrial appendage (LAA)—the area of the heart where blood pools—which keeps blood clots from forming and escaping,” said electrophysiologist, David Rhine, MD. “When compared to warfarin, a popular blood thinner, WATCHMAN resulted in an 80% reduction in hemorrhagic stroke and a 72% reduction in major bleeding six months after the procedure.” 

Reducing Afib Stroke Risk

Blood thinners, also called anticoagulants, are an effective way to lower the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve problems.⁵ Common blood thinners include warfarin (also known as Coumadin^®), Eliquis^®, Pradaxa^®, Xarelto^® and Savaysa^®.

But some people need an alternative to blood thinners, because they can increase the risk of bleeding.⁵ Some bleeding events are minor and easily treated, like a cut taking longer than normal to stop bleeding. In other cases, the bleeding can be life-threatening, such as when bleeding in the brain causes a stroke.

If you have a history of bleeding or a lifestyle, occupation or condition that puts you at risk for bleeding, your doctor may consider an alternative to blood thinners, such as the WATCHMAN Implant.

Important Safety Information

The WATCHMAN and WATCHMAN FLX 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.

Sources

1. National Stroke Association. Making the Afib-Stroke Connection. https://www.stroke.org/sites/default/files/resources/Afib-Connection%20for%20hcp.pdf. Published 2012. Accessed September 1, 2016.

2. Harvard Health Publications. Atrial fibrillation. http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/atrial-fibrillation-common-serious-treatable. Harvard University Medical School. Published November 2011. Accessed August 25, 2016.

3. Blackshear JL, Odell JA. Appendage obliteration to reduce stroke in cardiac surgical patients with atrial fibrillation. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996;61:755-759.

4. Cleveland Clinic. Atrial fibrillation (Afib). http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/disorders/arrhythmia/atrial-fibrillation-afib. Published May 2015. Accessed August 25, 2016.

5. National Stroke Association. Making the Afib-Stroke Connection. https://www.stroke.org/sites/default/files/resources/Afib-Connection%20for%20hcp.pdf. Published 2012. Accessed September 1, 2016.

6. PINNACLE FLX 12-month primary safety and efficacy endpoint results, Doshi, SK. presented at HRS 2020 Science.