Boston Scientific patient materials describe WATCHMAN as a one-time, minimally invasive implant designed to close the left atrial appendage and reduce stroke risk in selected patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Who It May Help
Boston Scientific patient materials position WATCHMAN for selected patients with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation.
In practice, candidacy depends on stroke risk, bleeding risk, left atrial appendage anatomy, and whether the patient can safely complete the procedure and follow-up plan.
Procedure And Follow-Up
The device is delivered through a catheter-based procedure using access from the upper leg and is intended to permanently close off the left atrial appendage.
Patients still need physician-guided follow-up after implant, including medication review and imaging to confirm the device is sealing the appendage as expected before any blood-thinner strategy is changed.