Anyone living with a chronic disease knows the stress it can bring. When someone has special considerations around the treatments they can receive, it can add another layer of anxiety. That can be the case for people with atrial fibrillation who can’t safely take blood thinners.
Many individuals with atrial fibrillation (AFib) take blood thinners, also called anticoagulants, to manage reduce the increased stroke risk associated with the disease. However, some people can’t take anticoagulants either because they have a higher risk of bleeding when on these drugs or they can’t manage the side effects of the medication.
“For people with AFib who aren’t eligible for anticoagulants, a WATCHMAN™ Implant offers an excellent alternative,” says Dr. Abdulmohsin Ahmadjee, a Cardiologist with the ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. “We can implant this device through a minimally invasive procedure to effectively reduce the risk of stroke for these patients.”
AFib and Stroke
When someone has AFib, the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and often rapidly. This erratic rhythm disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart. AFib often is associated with a rapid heartbeat, but it also can cause a slow heart rate. The irregular heartbeat can lead to other symptoms and increase the risk of severe complications, including stroke.
AFib slows down the pumping action of the heart. This can cause blood to pool in the heart’s upper chamber and lead to clots. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. They also can travel to other parts of the body and cut off blood flow, leading to damage of nearby tissue.
According to the National Institutes of Health, people with AFib are at five times greater risk of suffering a stroke than the general population. The organization estimates that AFib accounts for approximately 25% of all strokes in older individuals.
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 don’t thin the blood but rather make it harder for it to clot. They can’t break up clots that you have already, 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 good candidates for these medications,” Dr. Ahmadjee says. “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.
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.
Is WATCHMAN Right for Me?
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.
Your cardiologist or electrophysiologist will determine whether you’re a candidate for a WATCHMAN Implant. They’ll carefully assess your overall health, risk factors and medical history in determining whether a WATCHMAN Implant is right for you.
“It’s crucial to manage AFib-related stroke risk — whether that’s through medication or a WATCHMAN Implant,” Dr. Ahmadjee says. “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.”
