Season 1, Ep#6: Andy Dublin MD joins Dr. Matt DeVane and Dr. Carolyn Lacey to discuss the Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device, also known as the Watchman device.
They explain that atrial fibrillation is not a fatal heart disease, but the biggest risk is the risk of stroke. The Watchman device is an alternative to blood thinners for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The procedure involves inserting the device into the left atrial appendage to prevent blood clots from forming and potentially causing a stroke. The risks associated with the procedure are low, and most patients can go home the same day.
Takeaways
Atrial fibrillation is not a fatal heart disease, but the biggest risk is the risk of stroke.
The Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device, also known as the Watchman device, is an alternative to blood thinners for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
The procedure involves inserting the device into the left atrial appendage to prevent blood clots from forming and potentially causing a stroke.
The risks associated with the Watchman procedure are low, and most patients can go home the same day.
Sound Bites
"You're never going to die from this. If you do, you'll be the first."
"Before the Watchman device, there were no alternatives to blood thinners for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation."
"The Watchman procedure takes about 70 minutes, with the actual implantation taking around 20 to 25 minutes."
Medical Disclaimer
The Living Heart Smart podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.