Comprehensive Guide to The Watchman Implant Procedure

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THE WATCHMAN IMPLANT PROCEDURE

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THE WATCHMAN IMPLANT PROCEDURE

You’ve likely heard about various treatments for atrial fibrillation, but have you considered the Watchman implant procedure? This innovative approach offers an alternative to long-term blood thinner use for certain patients with atrial fibrillation. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your stroke risk without the ongoing need for blood thinners, it’s time to discuss the Watchman implant procedure with our Atlanta heart doctors.

The Watchman implant procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to close off the left atrial appendage, a small pouch in the heart where blood clots often form in people with atrial fibrillation. Think of it as installing a tiny umbrella-like device in your heart to catch potential clots before they can escape and cause a stroke.

You might wonder what the procedure involves and how it differs from traditional treatments. Unlike ongoing medication, the Watchman implant is a one-time procedure that can eliminate the need for long-term blood thinner use in eligible patients. This can be particularly beneficial for those who have had complications with blood thinners or are at high risk for bleeding.

Here’s what you can expect during the Watchman implant procedure:

Preparation: You’ll be given general anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure.

Access: The doctor will make a small incision in your upper leg to access a vein.

Catheter insertion: A narrow tube (catheter) is guided through the vein up to your heart.

Device placement: The Watchman device is passed through the catheter and carefully positioned in the left atrial appendage.

Deployment: Once in place, the device is opened, like a tiny umbrella, to seal off the appendage.

Confirmation: Imaging techniques ensure the device is properly placed and functioning.

Completion: The catheter is removed, and the small incision is closed.

The procedure typically takes an hour; most patients stay overnight for observation.

By visiting our Atlanta heart doctors, you’re taking an important step in exploring this innovative option for stroke prevention. Our cardiologists are experts in evaluating patients for the Watchman procedure and performing the implantation. They can assess whether you’re a good candidate based on your medical history and risk factors.

During your visit, you’ll receive personalized care. Our doctors will explain the Watchman implant procedure in detail, including its benefits, potential risks, and what to expect before, during, and after. They’ll work with you to determine if this is the right choice for your stroke prevention needs.

Don’t let concerns about long-term blood thinner use hold you back from effective stroke prevention. Schedule an appointment with our Atlanta heart doctors today to learn about the Watchman implant procedure. While it’s not suitable for everyone, it offers an effective alternative to lifelong blood thinner therapy for many patients with atrial fibrillation.

Remember, the Watchman implant procedure is a significant decision, but it could greatly improve your quality of life and reduce your stroke risk. Our team is here to guide you through the decision-making process, perform the appropriate procedure, and provide ongoing care to ensure the best possible outcomes for your heart health.

Read more about the Watchman implant and how CVG provides comprehensive cardiac care.

What Is a Watchman Implant?

A Watchman Implant is a small device placed in the heart to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib patients are at an increased risk of stroke due to blood clots forming in the small chamber of the heart known as the left atrial appendage, or LAA.

AFib affects your heart’s ability to pump blood and can cause blood to pool in your heart’s left atrial appendage. The Watchman Implant is a minimally invasive procedure for AFib patients who need an alternative to blood thinners.

The Watchman procedure reduces the risk of a stroke by permanently closing off the left atrial appendage to keep blood clots from escaping. The Watchman, or the left atrial appendage closure device, is the size of a quarter and closes off this part of the heart where blood clots are formed. Closing off this part of the heart is an effective way to reduce the stroke risk in patients whose AFib is not caused by a heart valve problem.

Where Is the Watchman Implanted?

During the Watchman Implant procedure, your doctor will make a small incision in your leg and insert a narrow tube. The Watchman will be guided through the tube and placed into your left atrial appendage. Over time, heart tissue will grow over the implant to form a barrier against blood clots, and the left atrial appendage will eventually close permanently.

How Is the Watchman Device Implanted?

During the Watchman surgery, your doctor will make a small cut in your upper leg. A narrow tube is then inserted through the veins of the leg, and the watchman implant is guided into the left atrial appendage of your heart.

Does the Watchman Need To Be Replaced?

The watchman implant is a permanent device implanted into your heart’s left atrial appendage in a one-time procedure. It lasts a lifetime and does not need to be replaced.

What To Expect During Your Visit

Please arrive at your appointment on time to prepare for your procedure. Below is what to expect the day of and following your procedure.

Before the Procedure

When you arrive on the day of your appointment, you will be asked to change into a gown to prepare for the procedure. We will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. We will insert an IV to administer anesthesia.

During the Procedure

You will undergo general anesthesia during the procedure. The procedure is not open-heart surgery, as the device is inserted through your leg. A catheter will be inserted into the blood vessel in the upper leg. The catheter will then be guided through the blood vessel to the heart and the left atrial appendage.

Once the Watchman device is in place, the surgeons will open it. This procedure generally takes one hour to complete. You can expect to stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring and go home the next day.

After the Procedure

After the Watchman has been implanted, you must continue taking blood thinners for 45 days post-procedure or until your left atrial appendage is completely closed off. After 45 days, the left atrial appendage should be completely sealed, thus preventing blood clots from forming and escaping.

We will monitor your progress and advise when you can stop taking blood thinners. Studies have shown that 96% of people who had the Watchman device implanted could stop taking blood thinners within 45 days, and more than 92% were able to stop taking blood thinners one year after the procedure.

Why Choose CVG?

At CVG, our cardiologists offer extensive experience caring for patients using state-of-the-art techniques. Their compassion adds so much to your care because our doctors understand how heart issues can affect you physically and take an emotional toll. Trust is the #1 factor in the doctor/patient relationship. You can trust your CVG cardiologist with every aspect of heart care.

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Board-certified Doctors

CVG’s twenty board-certified heart doctors will guide you through your healthcare journey with the utmost compassion and individual attention. We aim to provide you with state-of-the-art cardiac care that includes the full spectrum of services, from testing to diagnosis and treatment. The doctor/patient relationship is built on trust. Through our combined efforts, we can conquer any challenge that comes our way.

Invasive therapies may also treat an abnormal heart rhythm, such as electrical cardioversion, which sends electrical impulses through your chest wall and allows normal heart rhythm to restart, or catheter ablation that disconnects the abnormal rhythm’s pathway. Suppose your doctor determines that electrical devices are the best course of action. In that case, you may be given a permanent pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), or biventricular (B-V) pacemakers and defibrillators.

How CVG Can Help

CVG offers multiple services that can discover an enlarged heart or conditions that will lead to it. At CVG, we perform stress tests that will observe blood flow and test for various forms of heart disease. There are three types of stress tests that we perform:

A treadmill test is a test in which you will walk on a treadmill that gets faster and steeper every 3 minutes. This will stress your heart so that our nurse or doctor can determine your heart rate and blood pressure.
An echo test is performed before and after your treadmill test to determine how well your heart pumps blood.
A nuclear stress test is a treadmill test that is prefaced by an injection of medicine that shows the flow of blood to your heart.

We also offer cardiac catheterization to diagnose and treat several heart issues. If any of these tests determine a problem, we offer treatment solutions such as atrial fibrillation testing and catheter ablation. Learn more about our services here, or schedule an appointment to talk to our doctors.

Schedule Your Appointment with a CVG Atlanta Area Cardiologist

Expertise, experience, and compassion are the pillars of CVG’s patient-centered cardiac care. Please schedule your appointment with CVG today. Call (770) 962-0399 or 678-582-8586. You may also request an appointment online. If you have an emergency, don’t contact us online; please call 911.