Watchman Device and Procedure

Atrial fibrillation puts patients at greater risk for stroke. Historically, stroke risk in AF patients has been medically managed through the administration of anticoagulants. In this episode, Tom McElderry, MD discusses the Watchman device and how it offers a mechanical alternative to anticoagulants for managing stroke risk.

The Watchman functions by sealing off the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA)—an area of the heart where blood clots are most likely to form. As over 90% of clots in non-valvular AF patient originate in the LAA, Watchman can significantly decrease stroke risk for these patients. Given the growing size of the AF patient population and the number of patients not receiving anticoagulants, the Watchman device is positioned to potentially fill a large treatment gap in mitigating stroke risk.