Watchman

Watchman services offered in Cypress, Katy, Houston, Sealy and Fulshear, TX

If you have untreated atrial fibrillation (AFib), or an irregular heartbeat, serious complications sometimes develop. At Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates, with convenient offices in Cypress, Katy, Sealy, Fulshear, and Houston, Texas, the board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners use the WATCHMAN™ implantable device to treat atrial fibrillation not caused by a valve problem (nonvalvular AFib). Call the office today to learn more or use the online booking feature.

Watchman Q & A

What is WATCHMAN?

The WATCHMAN is a tiny device your heart specialist implants into your heart to prevent complications caused by some kinds of atrial fibrillation related to atrial fibrillation. This one-time procedure can eliminate the need to take a blood thinner and reduce your chance of a stroke.

How do WATCHMAN implants work?

WATCHMAN implants prevent blood clots by closing off the part of your heart (the left atrial appendage, or LAA) that produces most stroke-causing clots. The implant is made of light, compact materials and is about the size of a quarter.

The WATCHMAN implant fits into the LAA to permanently close it off and reduce your risk of a stroke without the need to take blood-thinning medicines.

Is WATCHMAN implantation right for me?

After reviewing your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle, the Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates team lets you know if you’re a candidate for WATCHMAN implantation. They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and any necessary testing to diagnose your condition.

How should I prepare for the procedure?

Follow your heart specialist’s instructions before undergoing WATCHMAN implantation. Avoid foods, drinks, smoking, and certain medicines before your appointment, and arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.

What happens during WATCHMAN implantation?

Before the procedure, you’ll receive a general anesthetic to put you to sleep. Your specialist makes a tiny incision in your upper leg and inserts a narrow tube into it. They guide the WATCHMAN implant into your heart’s LAA in as little as 30 minutes.

What should I expect after the procedure?

After WATCHMAN implantation, you might go home the same day. Some patients need to spend at least one night in the hospital for observation. Have someone drive you home and take the prescribed medication as directed by your provider.

Heart tissue eventually grows over the implant to form a blood-clot barrier. In studies, greater than 96% of patients can stop taking blood thinners 45 days after the procedure.

Call the nearest Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about WATCHMAN implantation and if it’s right for you.