WATCHMAN FLX PRO™

An Alternative to Blood Thinners 

What can cause a sudden stroke? Something as simple as a blood clot traveling through your bloodstream to your brain. 

Now, imagine a device as small as a quarter working to keep that from happening. 

Desert Care Network’s heart rhythm team is using one of the latest FDA-approved implantable technologies, called WATCHMAN FLX PRO™, in patients to help reduce their risk of stroke. 

The FDA-approved device offers an alternative to long-term blood-thinning warfarin therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve issue. 

If you have AFib, you are not alone. Some 2.7 million people in the United States also suffer from this disease - the most common form of irregular heart rhythm. The facts of having AFib are sobering: You are five times more likely to suffer a stroke than someone with a regular heartbeat, according to the American Stroke Association. 

How the WATCHMAN FLX Pro Works 

The WATCHMAN FLX Pro implant is a parachute-shaped, self-expanding device that is roughly the size of a quarter and is designed to permanently close off the left atrial appendage of the heart, an area believed to be the source of a majority of stroke causing blood clots. By closing off this part of the heart risk for stroke is reduced and, over time, the patient may be able to stop taking blood-thinning medication. 

This one-time procedure is typically performed under anesthesia with a catheter and radiopaque markers for precise placement. Once guided to the heart’s left atrial appendage, the device opens like an umbrella to stop blood clots from forming. The procedure typically takes one hour, and most patients go home the same day. 

As the body heals, heart tissue forms a protective layer over the device, lowering the risk of clots. Your doctor will monitor the healing process with imaging. A blood thinner may be prescribed until the left atrial appendage is fully sealed. 

Desert Care Network’s atrial fibrillation team will work with you to evaluate whether a non-drug alternative to blood thinners, such as the WATCHMAN FLX Pro, makes sense for you. Together, you will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your medical history, risk factors and personal preferences. 

To learn if the WATCHMAN procedure may be right for you, fill out a referral form to have a member of our heart rhythm team contact you. You may also call (833) 206-3828 to learn more about heart care close to home at Desert Care Network.