Watchman Device Approved for Use in US

The WATCHMAN device
Good news for A-Fib patients who can’t or don’t want to be on blood thinners like Coumadin. The FDA recently approved Boston Scientific’s WATCHMAN™ technology for closure of the Left Atrial Appendage. (The Watchman has been available internationally since 2009.)
The FDA approval is based on the clinical program with numerous studies involving more than 2,400 patients and nearly 6,000 patient-years of follow-up. The Watchman device will be available first at U.S. centers where it has been used in clinical studies.
To learn more about the Watchman device and closure of the Left Atrial Appendage, see my three reports The Watchman™ Device: The Alternative to Blood Thinners, Technology & Innovations: The Watchman Device and The Role of the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) & Removal Issues.
In addition, for a list of US doctors installing the Watchman device, go to Steve’s Lists/Doctors Installing the Watchman Device.