The team of cardiovascular specialists at Washington Regional’s Walker Heart Institute now offers the advanced WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) device, enhancing stroke prevention options for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). This new technology serves as an alternative to lifelong blood thinners for individuals with AFib, an irregular heartbeat that increases stroke risk.
Washington Regional has been using WATCHMAN devices since 2018, but the FLX Pro model brings notable improvements. It features enhanced visualization markers for precise placement, a broader size range to accommodate more patients and a special coating to reduce the risk of device-related blood clots.
AFib affects approximately 7 million Americans and increases stroke risk fivefold compared to those with normal heart rhythms. The WATCHMAN FLX Pro device works by sealing off the left atrial appendage, a part of the heart where blood clots can form, reducing the risk of stroke. Over time, patients may also 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. “This newest iteration of the WATCHMAN device can significantly lower a patient’s risk of stroke, helping them live a longer, healthier life.”
Washington Regional Chief Operating Officer Birch Wright emphasized the importance of staying at the forefront of cardiovascular care.
“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,” Wright said.
The WATCHMAN procedure is minimally invasive, taking about an hour under general anesthesia. Once implanted, the device does not need to be replaced and remains invisible from the outside. To date, WATCHMAN technology has been used to treat more than 400,000 patients worldwide.
For more information about the WATCHMAN FLX Pro and Washington Regional’s Walker Heart Institute, click here.
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