ThedaCare Cardiologist: WATCHMAN Device is ‘an Excellent Alternative’
A treatment option for some people living with atrial fibrillation may also help lessen the possibility of them suffering a stroke, a ThedaCare Cardiologist said.
Atrial fibrillation, commonly referred to as AFib, is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm. It may lead to blood clots in the heart. The condition also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Many individuals with AFib take blood thinners, also called anticoagulants, to help reduce the increased stroke risk associated with the disease. However, some people aren’t candidates for anticoagulants because they face a higher risk of acute bleeding when on these drugs or the side effects of the medication outweigh the benefits.
“For people with AFib who aren’t eligible for anticoagulants, a WATCHMAN™ Implant may be an excellent alternative,” said Dr. Abdulmohsin Ahmadjee, a Cardiologist with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. “We can implant this device through a minimally invasive procedure to effectively reduce the risk of stroke for these patients.”
Dr. Abdulmohsin Ahmadjee
AFib and Stroke
With AFib, the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and often rapidly. This erratic rhythm disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart. While AFib often is associated with a rapid heartbeat, it can also lead to a slow heart rate. The irregular heartbeat may lead to other symptoms and increases the risk of severe complications.
AFib slows down the pumping action of the heart. This may cause blood to pool in the heart’s upper chamber leading to clots. Clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. They also may travel to other parts of the body, cutting off blood flow, leading to nearby tissue damage.
According to the National Institutes of Health, people with AFib are at five times greater risk of suffering a stroke than the general population.
Alternative to Anticoagulants
To reduce the risk of blood clots leading to stroke in people with AFib, doctors often prescribe anticoagulants, such as coumadin or warfarin. These drugs make it harder for blood to clot. They don’t break up existing clots but they can stop them from growing. Anticoagulants have been shown to reduce the risk of AFib-related stroke by more than 50%.
“While anticoagulants work well in reducing stroke risk in people with AFib, some people aren’t ideal candidates for these medications,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “For those individuals, we explore the option of a WATCHMAN Implant.”
WATCHMAN Implant Procedure
A doctor places the WATCHMAN Implant through a minimally invasive procedure called a left atrial appendage closure. A WATCHMAN Implant may provide non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients with a lifetime of stroke risk reduction without the bleeding risk associated with long-term oral anticoagulation therapy.
The WATCHMAN Implant device is roughly the size of a quarter and shaped like a parachute. The doctor implants the device into the heart to close off the left atrial appendage. The device is inserted into the heart through a catheter placed into a vein in the leg during a one-time, minimally invasive procedure. A catheter is a long, thin, flexible tube inserted into a blood vessel and guided to a targeted area of the body.
The WATCHMAN Implant fits right into the left anterior appendage. It’s designed to permanently close it off and keep blood clots from escaping, thus reducing stroke risk.
Candidates for a WATCHMAN Implant include people with AFib that isn’t caused by problems with their heart valves. It’s appropriate for people who can’t take anticoagulants due to bleeding risk or problems with side effects.
A cardiologist or electrophysiologist will help determine whether a person is a candidate for a WATCHMAN Implant.
“It’s crucial to manage AFib-related stroke risk – whether that’s through medication or a WATCHMAN Implant,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “The ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care team will work with you to determine the best treatment for your individual needs. If you do undergo a WATCHMAN Implant procedure with us, you’ll be in the excellent hands of our experienced teams, who have performed more than 200 WATCHMAN Implant procedures and counting.”
To learn more about ThedaCare cardiovascular care services, please visit the Cardiovascular page on ThedaCare.org.
About ThedaCare
For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. In 2024, ThedaCare and Froedtert Health combined to form one system to strengthen local health care and provide high-quality services for treatment and prevention in a coordinated manner.