What is the Watchman Procedure for Elderly Adults?

Atrial fibrillation, generally known as AFib, is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders, affecting around 10% of older adults.

The number increases significantly for adults aged 80 and older, and the percentage of elderly folks with AFib is expected to continue to grow. AFib is a condition in which the heart beats faster than usual, which significantly increases the risk of stroke.

AFib can be controlled with a few different medications including beta blockers to slow the heart rate, anti-arrhythmic drugs to control the heart rate, or blood thinners to prevent clots that can lead to stroke. While there are a myriad of benefits to taking blood thinners, they do come with some drawbacks like increased risks of bleeding, dietary restrictions, and regular blood draws needed to monitor how the medication is working. Those risks are more dangerous for some than others, and thanks to advances in technology, those who need a different option than blood thinners to control their AFib and prevent stroke now have one: the watchman procedure. 

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What is the Watchman Procedure?

The Watchman is a small implant about the size of a quarter that looks like an open parachute. It is designed to prevent blood clots from forming in the left atrial appendage, a small pouch that extends from the upper left chamber (atrium) of the heart. This is the area in which blood tends to pool in those with AFib, leading to blood clots. Eventually, heart tissue will grow over the Watchman device and “close off” this section of the heart, stopping the blood from pooling in this area. This greatly reduces the chance of blood clots that can lead to stroke. 

The Watchman procedure is a helpful alternative for people who have too many risk factors to stay on blood thinners long term. Some of those risk factors could be high blood pressure, or very active jobs or jobs that have a higher fall risk. 
The Watchman procedure is simple and sometimes does not even require an overnight stay at the hospital. The procedure is minimally invasive and done under general anesthesia. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the groin and a catheter is inserted. Remember, you’ll be blissfully asleep during all of this. Imaging similar to x-rays are used to guide the catheter to the heart. The Watchman device is then placed in the left atrial appendage. Once the device is in the right spot, the catheter is removed and the incision is closed.

The Watchman device never needs to be replaced or adjusted and cannot be seen or felt outside the body. You can learn more about the procedure and hear from people who have been through it here. It can be a great option to reduce the risk of stroke without lifelong dependence on blood thinners. As always, always discuss healthcare options with your doctor or primary health provider.