Watchman FLX Implant

watchman in physician handThe WATCHMAN FLX™ implant is a device utilized as an alternative to long-term warfarin medication to reduce stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. This procedure offers patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) an alternative to long-term warfarin medication.

How the WATCHMAN Implant Works

watchman deployedThe WATCHMAN implant closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form there from entering the bloodstream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced and, over time, patients may be able to stop taking warfarin.

Who qualifies for a WATCHMAN device?

WATCHMAN is for patients that have Afib not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinning medications for reducing their risk of stroke.

To see if you qualify, answer a series of questions on this page to get started.  To learn more about WATCHMAN, the potential benefits and a general overview what to expect of the procedure, see the brochure. 

Patient Videos About Watchman

  • About Watchman from Simone Musco, MD
  • About WATCHMAN from Steve Shepro, MCHS PA-C
Information for Medical Professionals
Information for Medical Professionals
WATCHMAN now available at the International Heart Institute of Montana
Illustration of implanted WATCHMAN Device

The WATCHMAN™ device is a breakthrough treatment for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, WATCHMAN is an alternative to long-term anticoagulation that occludes the left atrial appendage (LAA) and significantly reduces stroke risk.

Approximately 90 percent of thrombi causing CVAs in AFib patients originate in the LAA. Traditionally, stroke prevention in AFib involves prescribing warfarin or a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC). Warfarin and NOACs carry the possibility of devastating iatrogenic hemorrhage, particularly in patients who are at risk for bleeding.

Now, extensive clinical investigations show that left atrial appendage occlusion with the WATCHMAN™ device is comparable to warfarin in the prevention of stroke and systemic emboli. Short-term anticoagulation is prescribed post-procedure; however, after endothelialization of the device, anticoagulation for AFib can be stopped for life.

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