Bronson Offers Next Generation Heart Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation

Standing on stage in front of a crowd. Meeting someone for the first time. All of us have moments in our lives when we feel like our heart is skipping a beat or racing rapidly. However, when this is a regular occurrence, it’s not something we can or should chalk up to nerves. It could be an indication of an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, or Afib. According to the American Heart Association, 6 million Americans have AFib, and they project this number will double to over 12 million by 2030.

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?

AFib is an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, that can lead to blood clots, stroke or other heart conditions. The heart is comprised of four chambers, two upper and two lower. During atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, beat out of rhythm with the lower chambers, the ventricles. This rapid heart rate is what causes symptoms like shortness of breath, racing heart, weakness and lightheadedness.

Atrial fibrillation is a serious condition that if left untreated can double the risk of heart-related deaths and increase the risk of stroke by five times. When the heart doesn’t pump as it should, blood can collect and form clots. If these clots leave the heart, they can cut off blood supply to the brain and cause a stroke. For this reason, patients are put on blood thinners to reduce the chance of stroke. Unfortunately, blood thinners can cause other problems.

For patients with AFib that is not caused by a heart valve problem, there is a one-time procedure called WATCHMAN that is an alternative to blood thinners. WATCHMAN is a FDA-approved implant that can reduce the risk of stroke without increasing the risk of bleeding that can occur with blood thinners.

Bronson is now offering the most recent generation of Watchman, called the Watchman FLX Pro.  This device offers greater flexibility to help even more patients who may not have qualified for the original WATCHMAN implant. 

What are the dangers of blood thinners?

The blood in the body is naturally designed to clot. Blood clotting helps seal wounds and keeps us from losing too much blood. Blood thinners keep the blood from clotting as it normally would. Those on blood thinners have to be very careful about injuring themselves. A cut or bruise can bleed much more in patients on blood thinners. In addition, any injury may cause internal bleeding. Injuries to the head are particularly worrisome.

Doctors may require regular blood tests for patients using some types of blood thinners. Blood thinners may also interfere with some medications and supplements. It is best to review all existing medications and supplements with your doctor and don’t start taking new supplements without speaking with your doctor first.

How does WATCHMAN work?

In patients with AFib, blood clots most commonly occur in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). The WATCHMAN Implant fits into the LAA, blocking blood clots from leaving the area and traveling to other parts of the body. Closing this appendage is an effective way to reduce the stroke risk for patients with AFib that is not caused by a heart valve problem.

WATCHMAN does not require open-heart surgery. Similar to the stent procedure, the interventional cardiologist makes a small incision in the upper leg and inserts a narrow tube.  The interventional cardiologist then guides the WATCHMAN Implant through the tube and into the left atrial appendage. After the procedure, tissue will begin to grow over the implant, creating a permanent barrier.  Patients either stay on a blood thinner for 45 days or transition directly to six months of dual antiplatelet therapy, typically Plavix and aspirin, while the appendage completely closes off.

How effective is WATCHMAN?

WATCHMAN has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and the risk of bleeding associated with long-term use of blood thinners. It has been used for over a decade on more than 400,000 patients. Bronson has been successfully performing the WATCHMAN procedure since 2018.

Learn more

For those who suffer from AFib, WATCHMAN may help to leave stroke risk and bleeding worries behind them. If you would like to learn whether you may qualify for this procedure, speak with your primary care provider to determine next steps.