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WATCHMAN™ Implant Device Support

Medical and dental procedures

Peace of mind for your procedures

As a WATCHMAN™ Implant patient, you may need to take precautions when undergoing certain medical and dental procedures. You can find some general guidelines below, but be sure to let the doctor or dentist performing the procedure know you have a WATCHMAN Implant. 

Healthcare provider adjusting light over dental patient with x-ray in background

Procedures that may affect your device

If surgery or dental work requires you to stop taking your medications prematurely, you and your doctors should carefully consider the risks and benefits of this additional surgery or dental work versus the possible risks from stopping these medications early. Talk to your heart specialist and the doctor performing the procedure about the timing of any medical procedures you may need.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI is a diagnostic test that uses a strong electromagnetic field to produce images of the human body. MRI safety testing has shown that the WATCHMAN Implant is “MRI conditional” and that WATCHMAN patients may safely have an MRI scan under certain conditions listed on the WATCHMAN Implant Card.

Important: Before getting an MRI, be sure to tell the doctor and the MRI technologist that you have a WATCHMAN Implant and show them you WATCHMAN Implant Card so they can take all necessary safety precautions. 


Understanding the importance of medications

After your WATCHMAN procedure, it’s extremely important to take the medications prescribed by your doctor at the recommended time. These include: blood thinners, clopidogrel, and aspirin. If you stop taking these medications or change their dosage before your doctor instructs you to do so, it may increase your chances of blood clot formation, subsequent stroke, or even death. Talk to your doctor before stopping your medications or changing the dosage.


Talk to your doctor

If you need medical or dental treatment, tell your dentist or doctor you have a WATCHMAN Implant and show them your WATCHMAN Implant Card. Your care team can contact your heart specialist and work together to find a treatment that works best for you.

Have questions about the WATCHMAN Implant?

WATCHMAN Educational Specialists are trained professionals with healthcare experience.

They’re here to help answer your questions. 

Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM Central Time


Indications

The WATCHMAN Implant is for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners. This website is intended to provide patients and caregivers with some information about the WATCHMAN Implant. It may help prepare you for talking to your doctor about your options for reducing stroke risk. 

Important Safety Information 

The WATCHMAN and WATCHMAN FLX Devices are permanent implants designed to close the left atrial appendage in the heart in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke. 

With all medical procedures there are risks associated with the implant procedure and the use of the device. The risks include but are not limited to accidental heart puncture, air embolism, allergic reaction, anemia, anesthesia risks, arrhythmias, AV (Arteriovenous) fistula, bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, bruising at the catheter insertion site, clot formation on the device, cranial bleed, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, hypotension, infection/pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary vein obstruction, renal failure, stroke, thrombosis and transient ischemic attack. In rare cases death can occur. 

Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of the device.