How the WATCHMAN® works
Who can benefit?

How the WATCHMAN® works

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition in which the upper chambers of your heart beat too fast. This condition can cause blood to stagnate and form clots in an area of your heart called the left atrial appendage. Everyone has a left atrial appendage. It is approximately the size of your thumb and looks like a small pouch on the top of your heart. If a clot forms, it can increase your chances of having a stroke or other related problems.

How it works

The WATCHMAN® device is designed to keep harmful sized blood clots that form in the left atrial appendage from entering your blood stream, potentially causing a stroke. It is made of materials that are common to many medical devices. The WATCHMAN device is designed to be permanently placed just behind or at the opening of the left atrial appendage.

How is the WATCHMAN implanted?

Using standard techniques, similar to the ones used in commonly performed angioplasty procedures, your doctor will guide the WATCHMAN device into your heart through a flexible tube (catheter) inserted through a vein in your upper leg. Once the catheter is in the correct position, your doctor will take pictures of your heart in order to take appropriate measurements of your left atrial appendage. These measurements will determine which size WATCHMAN device to use. After the device is put into place, additional measurements and pictures will be taken to make sure the device is in the correct position. Once your doctor has confirmed the position, s/he will release the device to leave it permanently implanted in your heart.

With this procedure, you would need to stay in the hospital overnight and recovery will take about 24 hours.

Click here to view WATCHMAN animation

For investigational use only.

Who can I contact to get involved? Find a physican>