Newly Approved WATCHMAN Heart Device Gives Patients Alternative to Blood Thinners and Reduces Stroke Risk
MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute and the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular InstituteMedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center was the first hospital in the Washington metropolitan region to implant the newly approved WATCHMAN™ Device. The new device is designed to prevent stroke in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation who are seeking an alternative to blood-thinning medication. Blood thinners are effective in reducing the risk of stroke for patients with A-fib, but many cannot tolerate these medications because of the risk of bleeding. The WATCHMAN device, which resembles a tiny umbrella, is used to close off a pouch on the left side of the heart, which is believed to be the source of the majority of stroke-causing blood clots.