- Nadish Garg, MD
- Annalise Arras, PA-C
- Fatima Lakhani, MD
- Phone: 832-328-8551
- Mon-Fri (8:30am - 5:00pm)
- Patient Portal
The Watchman is a one-time procedure designed to help reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation, a condition that can increase stroke risk by about five times. It is often recommended for patients who have a higher stroke risk score, such as a CHADSVASc score above 3, or for those who may be at greater risk of bleeding with long-term blood thinner use. The device works by sealing off the left atrial appendage, which is where many stroke-causing clots can form. For many patients, it provides stroke protection that is comparable to oral anticoagulants, while avoiding the need for lifelong blood thinners. Interventional cardiologist, Dr. Nadish Garg, per- formed the first Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) device therapy procedure on a patient with atrial fibrillation (AFib) at Memorial Hermann South- east Hospital on Jan. 10. The device is an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners for people with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem.
Potential Candidates
- History of bleeding
- Increased bleeding risk based on HAS-BLED score or other factors (e.g. thrombocytopenia, cancer, or risk of tumor associated bleeding in case of systemic anticoagulation)
- History or risk of falls
- Documented poor compliance with OAC therapy
- Inability or difficulty maintaining therapeutic range
- Occupation that puts patient at an increased bleeding risk
- Lifestyle or hobby that puts patient at an increased bleeding risk
- Severe renal failure – medical condition for which OAC inappropriate
