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Updated: Mar 3, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

84.6K

LAA occluder device for stroke prevention: Data on WATCHMAN and other LAA occluders

Martin W Bergmann1

  • 1Cardiologicum Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.

Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine
|May 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are standard for atrial fibrillation stroke prevention. For patients with bleeding risks, Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) occlusion using devices like WATCHMAN offers a safe and effective alternative.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices
  • Stroke Prevention

Background:

  • Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are the current standard for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
  • Some patients experience extracranial bleeding or have contraindications for pharmacologic anticoagulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) occlusion as a non-pharmacologic stroke protection strategy.
  • To highlight the role of devices like WATCHMAN in managing stroke risk in specific patient populations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical data and guidelines pertaining to LAA occlusion devices.
  • Assessment of the safety and efficacy profile of the WATCHMAN device for stroke prevention.

Main Results:

  • Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) occlusion with the WATCHMAN device is proven safe and effective.
  • This therapy is now recommended in current guidelines for patients with atrial fibrillation who require non-pharmacologic stroke protection.

Conclusions:

  • LAA occlusion represents a vital alternative for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients unsuitable for NOAC therapy.
  • The WATCHMAN device is a key option, with other devices also emerging for this indication.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationLAALAA occluderNOACOACStroke protection

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