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WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE OF THE WATCHMAN PROCEDURE?

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WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE OF THE WATCHMAN PROCEDURE?

The Watchman or Amulet (a similar competing device) implant has been gaining attention for its ability to reduce stroke risk in certain patients. Suppose you’re curious about its effectiveness or consider it an alternative to long-term blood thinners. In that case, it’s time to discuss the Watchman or Amulet device and its success rate with our CVG Atlanta area heart doctors.

The Watchman device is a small, parachute-shaped implant designed to close off the left atrial appendage, where most stroke-causing blood clots form in people with atrial fibrillation. Think of it as a tiny safety net, catching potential clots before they can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

You might wonder about the success rate of this procedure. The Watchman device has shown impressive results in clinical trials and real-world use, with an over 95% successful implantation rate. In most cases, doctors can properly place and secure the device in the left atrial appendage.

Long-term studies have shown that the Watchman or Amulet device has allowed many patients to discontinue blood thinners, except for baby aspirin, altogether. This high success rate in both implantation and effectiveness makes the Watchman devices an attractive option for many patients.

It’s important to note that while the success rate is high, the procedure, like any medical intervention, does carry some risks. These can include bleeding, infection, or device-related complications. However, serious complications are rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases.

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

During your visit, our doctors will explain the Watchman device’s success rate in detail, including the implantation’s success and long-term effectiveness. They’ll discuss how these statistics apply to you and what you can expect during and after the procedure.

Schedule an appointment with our Atlanta heart doctors today to learn more about the Watchman device and its impressive success rate. While it’s not suitable for everyone, for many patients with atrial fibrillation, it offers a highly effective alternative to lifelong blood thinner therapy.

The high success rate of the Watchman device is encouraging, but every patient is unique. We aim to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your heart health.

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

Watchman Procedure Facts and Benefits

The Watchman or Amulet procedure is a medical procedure used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat. The procedure involves implanting a small device into the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA), a small pouch on the left side of the heart where blood can collect and form clots.

These clots can then travel to the brain and cause a stroke. The Watchman implant is intended to seal off the LAA to prevent blood clots from forming and traveling to the brain, thereby reducing the risk of stroke in patients with AFib.

The success rate of the Watchman procedure can be evaluated in several different ways, including the success of placement and the rate of stroke prevention. Here is some information on the success rates of these different aspects of the procedure:

  • Device implantation: The success rate of device implantation refers to the percentage of patients in whom the Watchman device is successfully implanted. According to a review of clinical studies, the overall success rate of device implantation ranges from 94% to 100%. This means that in most cases, the Watchman device is successfully implanted into the LAA during the procedure.
  • Device closure: The success rate of device closure refers to the percentage of patients in whom the Watchman device is fully and properly closed after implantation. According to a review of clinical studies, the overall success rate of device closure ranges from 91% to 100%. This means that in most cases, the Watchman device is fully and properly sealing the atrial appendage after implantation, which is important for its effectiveness in preventing stroke.
  • Stroke prevention: The success rate of stroke prevention refers to the percentage of patients who experience a stroke after the Watchman procedure. The overall success rate ranges from 50% to 90%. This means that in most cases, the Watchman procedure is effective in reducing the risk of stroke in patients with AFib. However, it is important to note that the actual success rate of stroke prevention may vary depending on the patient’s risk factors and the severity of their AFib.

It is also important to note that the Watchman procedure is not without risks. Some common complications associated with the procedure include bleeding, infection, and heart attack. The rate of complications varies depending on the study, but according to a review of clinical studies, the overall rate ranges from 2% to 8%.

The success rate of the Watchman procedure can vary depending on the aspect being evaluated. However, the success rate of device implantation and closure is generally high, with most patients experiencing successful implantation and closure.

The success rate of stroke prevention is also generally good, with most patients experiencing a reduced risk of stroke after the procedure. However, it is important to note that the method has risks. The success rate may vary depending on the patient’s risk factors and AFib severity.

Invasive therapies may also be used to 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, which disconnects the pathway of the abnormal rhythm. 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.

 

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.

Call to Schedule an Appointment

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.

Locations Where You can Get Watchman Procedure

2200 Medical Center Blvd,
Suite 400
Lawrenceville, Georgia

2800 Buford Drive,
Suite 320
Buford GA, 30519

2108 Teron Trace
Suite 100,
Dacula, Georgia

2200 Medical Center Blvd,
Suite 400
Lawrenceville, Georgia

535 Jesse Jewell Parkway
Suite C,
Gainesville, Georgia

1132 Athens Highway
Suite 207
Grayson, Georgia

4365 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 450
Suwanee, Georgia

98 Tara Commons Dr
Loganville, GA

5185 Peachtree Pkwy,
Suite 240
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

1608 Tree Lane,
Building C
Snellville, GA

4365 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 450
Suwanee, Georgia