WATCHMAN™

Service:

Type:

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Treatment Offered At

Heart & Vascular Care at Saddleback Medical Center

How Does the WATCHMAN™ Device Work?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats irregularly. During AFib, the two upper chambers of the heart (the atria) quiver instead of beating properly to effectively move blood into the heart’s two lower chambers (the ventricles). AFib can cause blood to pool and clot. If a blood clot enters the bloodstream, it can travel to the brain and result in a stroke. Approximately 95 percent of strokes that occur in patients with AFib are from clots that form in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Many patients are prescribed a blood thinner like warfarin to lower the risk of stroke, however, some patients experience unwanted side effects from long-term blood thinner therapy.

The WATCHMAN™ device is the first of its kind alternative treatment for AFib used to reduce stroke risk without the need for medication. The device is designed to close the left atrial appendage and prevent blood clots from entering the bloodstream. Over time, heart tissue grows over the device and it becomes a permanent part of the body.

Saddleback Medical Center is proud to be one of the first hospitals in Orange County to offer the WATCHMAN™ device as an alternative treatment to blood thinners for patients with non-valvular AFib.

Evaluation to Be a Candidate for Watchman Is Offered at:

Heart & Vascular Care at Saddleback Medical Center

Benefits of WATCHMAN™

Reduces stroke risk by preventing blood clots from forming in the left atrial appendage.
The procedure is minimally invasive. You do not have to have open heart surgery.
The implant is the size of a quarter and is inserted with a catheter through a small incision in the upper leg.
Recovery tends to be quicker and easier compared with open surgery. Most patients leave the hospital one day after the procedure.
Many people can return to normal activities within a few days to one week.
The permanent implant reduces stroke risk caused by AFib and eliminates the need for blood thinners.

Is the WATCHMAN™ Device Right For You?

If you have a history of bleeding or a lifestyle, occupation or condition that puts you at risk for bleeding, WATCHMAN™ may be right for you. Your cardiologist will assess your risk for stroke against your risk of a serious bleeding problem to determine the right treatment for you.

To speak with the Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner about Watchman, please call:
Saddleback Medical Center
(949) 452-7598