WATCHMAN
The WATCHMAN™ left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device was developed as an alternative to blood thinners for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), helping to reduce stroke risk.
A-Fib is an abnormal heart rhythm that can lead to irregular heartbeats and cause blood to pool and clot within the heart. If a clot is released, it can result in a stroke, which can be fatal or disabling. The WATCHMAN™ device closes off the left atrial appendage, the most common site for clot formation, allowing many patients to discontinue their blood thinning medication. This option is particularly valuable for patients who are at high 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 among the first sites globally to enroll in and implant the WATCHMAN™ and the new WATCHMAN FLX™. In 2024, CMC physicians achieved a significant milestone by implanting the 800th WATCHMAN™ device since the inception of the program in 2015.
WATCHMAN™: See how it works
An alternative to blood thinners
Patient Info
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.