Washington Regional Implants New WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro Device
The team of cardiovascular experts at Washington Regional’s Walker Heart Institute is proud to now offer the WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device. This new technology is designed to reduce stroke risk and serve as an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem, also known as non-valvular AFib or NVAF.
Washington Regional has offered the WATCHMAN device since 2018. The WATCHMAN FLX Pro is the newest version of the device and features visualization markers for more precise placement, a broader size range to treat a wider range of patients, and a special coating designed to reduce the risk of device-related blood clots.
An estimated seven million Americans are affected by AFib – an irregular heartbeat that can feel like a fluttering heart. People with AFib have a five times greater risk of stroke than those with normal heart rhythms. The WATCHMAN FLX Pro device closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the left atrial appendage from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the left atrial appendage, the risk of stroke may be reduced, and, over time, patients may be able to stop taking blood thinning medications.
“Washington Regional is proud to offer this technology to our patients,” said Dr. Shaun Senter, a cardiologist with Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic, part of the Walker Heart Institute. “This newest iteration of the WATCHMAN device can significantly lower a patient’s risk of stroke, helping them live a longer, healthier life.”
“The WATCHMAN FLX Pro device is another example of how Washington Regional is investing in the latest technology and procedures to continue providing nationally recognized cardiovascular care to patients here in Northwest Arkansas,” said Washington Regional Chief Operating Officer Birch Wright. “As the region’s leader in cardiovascular care, Walker Heart Institute provides the highest level of cardiac care available in Northwest Arkansas.”
The WATCHMAN technology has been implanted to treat more than 400,000 patients worldwide and is done in during a one-time procedure. This permanent device doesn’t have to be replaced and can’t be seen outside the body. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. To learn more about WATCHMAN and Washington Regional’s Walker Heart Institute, visit wregional.com/WatchmanDevice.