A New Stroke-Prevention Option for A-fib Patients

When Lillian Correia, 55, of Fall River, was prescribed blood thinners for her atrial fibrillation (also known as “A-fib”), she thought she was doing the best thing to reduce her chances of developing a blood clot and having a stroke. But the medication that was supposed to protect her also complicated her life, leading to seven visits to the Emergency Department in one year because of bleeding from her intestines. Despite repeated endoscopies, colonoscopies and blood transfusions, Lillian’s bleeding problems persisted. She and her doctors knew that a better solution was needed to protect her from the risk of stroke while eliminating the bleeding problems.

Fortunately, Southcoast cardiologist Patrick Curran, MD, and electrophysiologist Nitesh Sood, MD, had just what Lillian needed. The doctors recommended a new device called the Watchman implant. The device, which is shaped like a tiny umbrella, is inserted via catheter into the atrial appendage — a small pocket-like area adjacent to one of the chambers of the heart — where 95 percent of blood clots that cause stroke originate in patients with A-fib.

WATCHMAN DEVICE IMPLANT from Southcoast Health on Vimeo.

“Implanting the device has been shown to be as effective as blood thinners in preventing stroke, while the bleeding risk drops dramatically,” said Dr. Sood. The team at Southcoast has already performed 20 Watchman implant procedures since the device received FDA approval this past spring. “Our facility is one of only three in New England and one of two in Massachusetts to offer the device,” added Dr. Sood, who sees patients at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River.

That number only promises to increase with the opening of the state-of-the-art Harold and Virginia Lash Heart and Vascular Center at Charlton Memorial, which offers Watchman device implantation among many other advanced patient procedures.

Dr. Sood stressed that patients with A-fib or atrial flutter should discuss with their cardiologists whether the Watchman is a good solution for them. “Some older patients in their 60s, for example, may not feel comfortable staying on blood thinners for the next 20 years or more,” he said.

“And, clearly, for relatively young people, like Lillian Correia, who are having significant problems, like recurring nosebleeds or bleeding in the bowel, the implant is going to improve their quality of life as well as their longevity.”

Lillian feels the Watchman has definitely helped her. “I had to spend one night in the hospital after the procedure, and besides avoiding any driving or heavy lifting for a few days after that, I was right back to my usual activities,” she said. Now Lillian takes one baby aspirin and one dose of an anticoagulant daily, but after six months, Dr. Sood is hopeful she can proceed with just the baby aspirin.

“The device is just a better long-term solution,” Dr. Sood summed up.

For more on heart health, visit Southcoast’s cardiac services.