Watchman Device for Afib

If you have atrial fibrillation (Afib), you face a higher risk of stroke. Experts at Trinity Health Michigan help lower this risk with sophisticated therapies, such as the WATCHMAN FLX™ device.

This treatment, also called left atrial appendage closure, involves a one-time, minimally invasive procedure for lifetime protection. Our team includes highly skilled heart doctors who deliver this treatment with excellent results.

How WATCHMAN Lowers Stroke Risk in People with Afib

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm. It can cause blood to pool in a pocket of heart tissue called the left atrial appendage (LAA). This blood pooling makes it possible for clots to form. If a clot travels through the bloodstream to the brain and gets stuck, it can cause a stroke. Blood thinners lower your risk. But these medications cause side effects that can be too much to bear.

Implanting a WATCHMAN device in the LAA reduces the likelihood of stroke. The device permanently closes the appendage, preventing blood pooling and clot formation. WATCHMAN is for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. After receiving treatment, you will no longer need to take blood thinners.

WATCHMAN for Afib at Trinity Health Michigan: Why Choose Us?

Trinity Health Michigan is home to some of Michigan’s leading arrhythmia specialists (electrophysiologists). We deliver specialized treatments you might not expect to find in community hospitals, including the WATCHMAN device for Afib. Find out more about arrhythmia treatments.

WATCHMAN is only available in centers with a team of highly skilled heart specialists, such as the ones at Trinity Health Michigan. Electrophysiologists work alongside interventional cardiologists and imaging specialists. We carefully plan your procedure and work together to deliver safe, effective care.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure with WATCHMAN: What to Expect

Before your procedure, we perform a comprehensive evaluation. This information helps us determine whether WATCHMAN is right for you, and if so, plan your procedure. Evaluations may include cardiac catheterization and other types of cardiovascular disease testing.

During a WATCHMAN implant procedure, here’s what to expect:

1. A physician makes a small incision in your groin and inserts a catheter with the WATCHMAN device attached to the tip.
2. They advance the catheter through a blood vessel until it reaches the left atrial appendage.
3. The WATCHMAN device goes into the LAA, where it expands to fully seal the opening.
4. The physician performs a few tests to ensure the device is in the correct position and fits snugly into the opening.
5. They remove the catheter and close the incision.

In the weeks following the procedure, tissue grows over the WATCHMAN device, permanently securing it in place. Until this happens, you will need to stay on blood thinners. Once we are sure the LAA is sealed, you can discontinue blood thinners.