Exploring Personalized Alternatives to Blood Thinners for Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Prevention
Until 2016, people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation had no alternatives other than taking blood thinners to prevent stroke. But there’s hope! In 2016, the FDA approved a device called WATCHMAN. Picture a tiny parachute, about the size of a quarter. Doctors can place it in a small pocket (left atrial appendage) of your heart where most clots form. The Watchman Device can fit right into the appendage and prevent blood clots from forming and escaping. For people who’ve struggled with blood thinners’ side effects, this invention is a game-changer.