How long does the WATCHMAN device last in the body?

The WATCHMAN device is designed to be a permanent implant within the body, intended to provide ongoing stroke prevention by sealing off the left atrial appendage. The FDA approved its use in 2015, but it has been commercially available internationally since 2009. During this time, its long-term durability has been studied and established to offer sustained effectiveness in reducing the risk of blood clot-related strokes in individuals with atrial fibrillation.

How big is the WATCHMAN implant?

The WATCHMAN device is typically around 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters (1 to 1.4 inches) in size. Its compact design allows it to be delivered and positioned within the left atrial appendage of the heart using minimally invasive catheter-based techniques, reducing the risk of blood clot-related strokes in individuals with atrial fibrillation.

How does the WATCHMAN device stop blood clots?

The WATCHMAN device prevents blood clots by effectively sealing off the left atrial appendage (LAA), a small pouch in the heart where clots often form in individuals with atrial fibrillation. Once implanted, the device forms a barrier, blocking the LAA and preventing clots from escaping into the bloodstream and causing strokes. This reduces the risk of blood clot-related strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Is the WATCHMAN device a minimally invasive procedure?

Yes, the WATCHMAN device procedure is minimally invasive. It involves the insertion of a catheter through a blood vessel, typically in the leg or groin, and the device is guided to the heart using imaging techniques. This approach reduces the need for traditional open-heart surgery and often results in shorter recovery times and fewer complications.

What are the side effects of the WATCHMAN procedure?

The WATCHMAN procedure is generally well-tolerated, but like any medical intervention, it carries potential side effects. These can include a small risk of complications, such as bleeding, infection or anesthesia-related issues. Additionally, there might be a rare chance of device migration, blood clot formation or incomplete sealing of the left atrial appendage.

What is the difference between the WATCHMAN device and a pacemaker?

The WATCHMAN device is designed to reduce the risk of stroke in individuals with atrial fibrillation by sealing off the left atrial appendage and preventing blood clot-related strokes. A pacemaker, on the other hand, is an implant that helps regulate the heart’s rhythm by sending electrical signals to control its beating. While both are implanted devices, their primary functions and purposes differ – the WATCHMAN device focuses on stroke prevention, while a pacemaker addresses heart rhythm abnormalities.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

During the treatment, the hyperbaric chamber is pressurized using 100 percent oxygen. As the patient breathes normally, the pressurized oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs and carried throughout the body by the circulatory system. Subsequently, the patient receives up to fifteen times the amount of oxygen when compared to breathing air at sea level. This pressurized oxygen treatment has many therapeutic benefits, including: Greatly increasing the oxygen concentration in all body tissues, even with reduced blood flow. Improving the healing time of stubborn wounds. Stimulating the growth of new blood vessels in areas of reduced circulation. Increasing the efficiency of white blood cells to kill bacteria and aiding in infection control. Assisting in the treatment of chronic bone infections (osteomyelitis). Preserving skin grafts, flaps and other tissues where the circulation is suddenly reduced. Reducing swelling (edema). Reversing damage to tissues exposed to radiation therapy. Reducing effects from toxic exposure from carbon monoxide.

What Will I Feel During a Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment?

The treatment is provided while you lay down on a bed inside the hyperbaric chamber. Once the treatment starts (compression), you will hear the oxygen begin to circulate in the chamber. You will feel the change in pressure in your ears (similar to the feeling of driving down a mountain road or descending in an airplane). A nurse will coach you during the first few treatments to help you to relieve this “full” sensation in your ears. When you reach the prescribed pressure, you will no longer need to clear your ears. You may listen to music, watch TV or a movie, rest, or sleep for the remainder of the treatment. Each treatment lasts about 90 to 120 minutes. Near the end of the treatment, the nurse will gradually decrease the pressure in the chamber (decompression). During decompression, you may experience a “popping” sensation in your ears as a result of the changing pressure. This is a normal adjustment in your ears (similar to the feeling of driving down a mountain road or lowering altitude in an airplane).

How Many Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments required varies depending on your medical condition. Some emergency conditions require only one or two treatments. However, most wound healing problems require between 20 and 30 treatments. These treatments are generally provided twice a day if you are hospitalized. Outpatients are usually treated once a day. Treatments are offered seven days per week and we have staff available to treat emergencies 24-hours-a-day. The number of treatments required will be discussed during your consultation with the hyperbaric medicine physician and may be adjusted as your medical condition improves. Repeated evaluations of your medical condition will be performed by your referring physician and the hyperbaric medicine team in order to guide your continued therapy.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Covered by My Insurance?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is covered by Medicare and most other insurance carriers for certain approved conditions. Prior authorization is frequently required before starting hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Our qualified staff will assist in obtaining authorization, when needed.

Will my insurance cover the genetic counseling appointment?

Genetic counseling is typically a covered benefit under most commercial insurance plans. If you schedule an appointment, the hospital’s insurance verification department will check if genetic counseling is a covered benefit under your insurance plan prior to the scheduled appointment date. For individuals with HMO insurance, a prior authorization is required and can be obtained from your primary physician.

Will my insurance cover genetic testing?

Most insurance companies cover genetic testing for hereditary cancer susceptibility when it is medically recommended; each insurance company has different criteria for coverage for specific genetic syndromes. Coverage can only be determined after a full evaluation of your medical and personal history. Detailed information about insurance coverage for genetic testing and cost can be provided at the consultation. Genetic counselors are experts at understanding insurance coverage of genetic testing, and when necessary, will appeal to insurance to cover medically necessary testing and/or investigate financial assistance programs.

Who should consider genetic counseling and testing?

If you have a personal history or a close family member with of any of the following features, you are a good candidate for Genetic Counseling: Early onset breast, colorectal, or uterine cancer Ovarian cancer at any age Male breast cancer at any age Ashkenazi Jewish individuals with breast or ovarian cancer Several close relatives with the same type of cancer on the same side of the family Families with a combination of the following cancers: Colon, rectal, stomach, endometrial, uterine, kidney, ureter, pancreas, or small intestine Individuals or families with numerous colon polyps Rare tumor types Two or more related cancers in the same person or in close relatives. For example: o Breast cancer and ovarian cancer o Colorectal and endometrial cancers o Melanoma and pancreatic cancers

What happens at a Genetic Counseling appointment?

The initial visit (approximately 60-90 minutes) includes a meeting with a licensed Genetic Counselor who will review your personal and family history, construct a medically focused family tree, and explain how genetic principles apply to cancer. Your detailed personal and family history will be assessed to determine the chance that the cancer in your family is hereditary, and if genetic testing for a particular hereditary cancer syndrome is recommended. If genetic testing is not indicated or not desired, individualized cancer screening recommendations are provided for the patient and family members based upon the cancers and risk factors present in the family. If genetic testing is recommended, you will be provided with an explanation of the specific genetic test or testing options along with the costs, coverage, benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing. In most cases testing can be done at the time of the initial appointment and involves a blood or saliva sample, which is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results generally take 2-3 weeks, but certain tests may take longer. Once results are available, the results are explained and individualized screening and prevention recommendations are made based on the test results, personal and family history. If testing is indicated for family members, your Genetic Counselor can provide resources and assistance in communicating this information you your family.

If I’ve already had cancer, how can Genetic Counseling/testing help me?

Genetic Counseling and testing can help determine if there is a genetic explanation for your cancer and if you have an elevated risk to develop additional cancers. This information often leads to extra cancer screenings and/or preventative measures. Additionally, genetic test results can assist in determining cancer risk for your family members.

Why do I need an appointment? Can’t I just come in for testing without an evaluation?

Healthcare providers or clinics do not typically write orders for patients that have not established care and undergone a clinic visit. This is the case with all types of non-routine and many types of routine healthcare. Patients have many questions prior to testing, including questions relating to cost and insurance coverage. There are many genes associated with inherited cancer risk and many labs offering genetic testing for hereditary cancer; selecting the appropriate test for you history and determining which laboratories are an option based on your insurance plan requires a review of your history and insurance information. Sometimes an individual will have more than one option for genetic testing. Ordering genetic testing also involves selecting the appropriate test, obtaining insurance coverage for testing, interpreting results, and making follow up recommendations. Importantly, interpretation of your test results and follow up recommendations require a thorough evaluation of your personal and family history. It is important that individuals undergoing genetic testing be informed of possible test results and the implications of those test results prior to proceeding with genetic testing. Genetic testing is often not as straightforward as many people hope.

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