The WATCHMAN
Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device

The WATCHMAN is a one-time procedure with people with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to long-term blood thinners. This procedure is performed by a board-certified cardiologist from Capital Cardiology Associates.

Is the WATCHMAN 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. But like any medical procedure, WATCHMAN comes with risks, so it isn’t right for everyone. Your cardiologist will weigh your risk of a stroke against your risk of a serious bleeding problem to determine the right treatment for you.

HOW WATCHMAN WORKS

WATCHMAN effectively reduces the risk of stroke by permanently closing off the LAA to keep blood clots from escaping. WATCHMAN can eliminate the bleeding risks and regular blood tests and food-and-drink restrictions that come with warfarin. In a clinical trial, 9 out of 10 people were able to stop taking warfarin just 45 days after the WATCHMAN procedure.

Left Atrial Appendage

More than 90% of stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the LAA.

Blood Thinner Alternative

WATCHMAN is a permanent implant that offers an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners.

Fits Your Heart

The WATCHMAN is about the size of a quarter and made from very light and compact materials commonly used in many other medical implants.

How WATCHMAN Works

WATCHMAN effectively reduces the risk of stroke by permanently closing off the LAA to keep blood clots from escaping.

Implant Procedure

The WATCHMAN is designed to permanently close it off and keep those blood clots from escaping.

Is WATCHMAN 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.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

Following the WATCHMAN procedure, you’ll take warfarin for 45 days or until your LAA is permanently closed off.

Your doctor will then prescribe a medicine called clopidogrel (also known as Plavix ®) and aspirin for you to take for six months. After that, you’ll continue to take aspirin on an ongoing basis. A very small number of patients may need to keep taking blood thinners
long term.

In a Clinical Trial just 45 days after the procedure:
92% PATIENTS WERE ABLE TO STOP TAKING WARFARIN


In a Clinical Trial within 1 year after the procedure:
99% OF PATIENTS WERE ABLE TO STOP TAKING WARFARIN

Hear from a WATCHMAN Patient

Marjorie had a hemorrhagic stroke while taking blood thinners and needed an alternative treatment to reduce her AFib stroke risk. See how WATCHMAN gave her new hope.

See how the WATCHMAN Implant gave Bill an alternative to blood thinners and helped him enjoy more time out in the garden and walking his rescue greyhound.

Getting WATCHMAN

The first step to finding out if you’re a candidate for WATCHMAN is making an appointment with your cardiologist to discuss your options.

To schedule an appointment
Call 518-292-6004

Your CCA WATCHMAN Team

Augustin DeLago
MD, FACC, FSCAI, Capital Cardiology Associates

Ian Santoro
MD, FACC, FHRS, Capital Cardiology Associates

James O’Brien
MD, FACC, Capital Cardiology Associates

Important Safety Information
The WATCHMAN Device is a permanent implant designed to close the left atrial appendage in the heart in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke.

With all medical procedures there are risks associated with the implant procedure and the use of the device. The risks include but are not limited to accidental heart puncture, air embolism, allergic reaction, anemia, anesthesia risks, arrhythmias, AV (Arteriovenous) fistula, bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, bruising at the catheter insertion site, clot formation on the WATCHMAN™ Closure Device, cranial bleed, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, hypotension, infection/pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary vein obstruction, renal failure, stroke, thrombosis and transient ischemic attack. In rare cases death can occur.

Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of the WATCHMAN Device.

Sources
National Stroke Association. Making the Afib-Stroke Connection. https://www.stroke.org/sites/default/files/resources/Afib-Connection%20for%20hcp.pdf. Published 2012. Accessed September 1, 2016.
Harvard Health Publications. Atrial fibrillation. http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/atrial-fibrillation-common-serious-treatable. Harvard University Medical School. Published November 2011. Accessed August 25, 2016.
Blackshear JL, Odell JA. Appendage obliteration to reduce stroke in cardiac surgical patients with atrial fibrillation. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996;61:755-759.
Cleveland Clinic. Atrial fibrillation (Afib). http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/disorders/arrhythmia/atrial-fibrillation-afib. Published May 2015. Accessed August 25, 2016.
National Stroke Association. Making the Afib-Stroke Connection. https://www.stroke.org/sites/default/files/resources/Afib-Connection%20for%20hcp.pdf. Published 2012. Accessed September 1, 2016.
Holmes DR Jr, Kar S, Price MJ, et al. Prospective randomized evaluation of the Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure device in patients with atrial fibrillation versus long-term warfarin therapy: the PREVAIL trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(1):1-12.