KADLEC - Kadlec Regional Medical Center is now offering the WATCHMAN device, a small implant placed in the heart to help prevent stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem. For many patients, WATCHMAN can eliminate the need for lifelong blood thinners.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. With AFib, the heart’s upper chambers contract rapidly and irregularly, leading to inefficient blood flow. This can cause blood to pool in a small pouch of the heart called the left atrial appendage, where clots can form and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.
Approximately 90 percent of stroke-causing clots in people with AFib originate in the left atrial appendage. People with AFib have a five to seven times higher risk of stroke compared to those without AFib.
WATCHMAN works by sealing off the left atrial appendage, preventing clots from forming there and entering the bloodstream.
Until now, Tri-Cities residents needing this procedure had to travel hours away — often to Spokane or Seattle.
“There were many of our patients who needed this device, and they were driving hours to get it,” said Dr. Abdelazim Hashim, interventional cardiologist at Kadlec. “Many are older, and it can be difficult for them to travel for treatment. We saw it as a service to this community to offer WATCHMAN here.”
Traditionally, people with AFib have been prescribed blood thinners to lower their risk of stroke. While effective, these medications are not appropriate for everyone.
“Blood thinners remain the standard initial treatment for stroke prevention in AFib, but they aren’t suitable for everyone,” said Dr. Munish Kumar Kannabhiran, cardiac electrophysiologist at Kadlec. “WATCHMAN is considered for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are at increased risk of stroke but have a reason they cannot take long-term blood thinners — for example, those with a history of major bleeding such as an intracranial hemorrhage, a high risk of future bleeding, or intolerance to anticoagulant medications.”
WATCHMAN is a mesh device about the size of a quarter, implanted through a minimally invasive procedure. A flexible tube is inserted through a vein near the groin and threaded to the heart to deploy the device. Most patients can go home the same day.
Over time, heart tissue grows over the device, creating a permanent barrier against clots. In clinical trials, 96 percent of patients were able to stop taking blood thinners within 45 days after WATCHMAN placement. See a video about how it works at watchman.com/video.
WATCHMAN does not treat AFib itself, only the stroke risk associated with it. Kadlec offers a comprehensive range of AFib treatments including a promising new technology called pulsed field ablation.
“The sooner a patient with AFib is evaluated by a cardiologist, the better,” Dr. Kannabhiran added. “Early assessment allows us to consider the full range of treatment options — including advanced therapies like catheter ablation — which can help restore normal rhythm and improve quality of life.”
People experiencing possible AFib symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, chest discomfort, or unexplained weakness are encouraged to speak to their healthcare provider and, if appropriate, request a referral to a cardiologist.
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