Physicians at Community Hospital in Munster are among the first in Northwest Indiana to use advanced implantable technology, called WATCHMAN™, in patients to help reduce their risk of stroke. The device offers an alternative to long-term blood-thinning warfarin therapy to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve issue.
The WATCHMAN implant is a parachute-shaped, self-expanding device that is designed to permanently close off the left atrial appendage, a part of the heart believed to be the source of a majority of stroke causing blood clots. By closing off the left atrial appendage, the risk of stroke is reduced, and over time, these patients may be able to stop taking warfarin.
Implantation of the WATCHMAN device is a one-time procedure that usually lasts an hour and is typically performed under general anesthesia. Following the procedure, patients typically need to stay in the hospital 24 to 48 hours.
To make an appointment and learn more about whether the WATCHMAN device is right for you, call our Structural Heart & Valve Center at 219-703-5301.
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