Device Lowers Stroke Risk from Atrial Fibrillation

When blood thinners are not an option, blocking off the left atrial appendage can help prevent dangerous blood clots from forming.

Published: August 22, 2022

Screen Shot 2022-08-19 at 10.29.48 AM — The Watchman device is placed on a catheter, inserted in a vein in the groin and delivered into the heart. When it reaches the door of the atrial appendage, it is released. The catheter is then withdrawn, leaving the device behind to block the opening.

The irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a known risk factor for stroke. That’s because A-fib prevents the heart from ejecting a normal amount of blood with each contraction. Blood left behind can pool and clot. If the clot is ejected into the circulation, it will travel to the brain, where it can cause a stroke.