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Watchman Procedure

Take your life back from atrial fibrillation with this innovative, minimally invasive procedure.

A PeaceHealth provider discusses the TAVR procedure with a patient in a clinical setting

What is Watchman?

PeaceHealth takes pride in introducing minimally-invasive heart technologies and surgical techniques into our communities, including this advanced procedure that helps patients take their lives back from atrial fibrillation.

Watchman helps prevent blood clots caused by atrial fibrillation. This ground-breaking procedure may allow patients to say “goodbye” to a lifetime of blood thinners and get back to normal life quickly.

An older happy couple on the cover of the download watchman guide cover

Take your life back from atrial fibrillation

Learn more about our Watchman procedure.

How does the Watchman procedure work?

A small incision is made in the upper leg and the Watchman device is inserted via a tube. The device is about the size of a quarter and shaped like a parachute. Your surgeon guides the Watchman device up and into your heart’s left atrial appendage. The device blocks off the appendage to prevent blood clotting.

The procedure typically takes less than an hour. Patients often stay overnight in our hospital for observation and leave the next day. Full recovery time also varies, but patients are usually back to normal life within a week.

Is Watchman right for me?

Your first step should be scheduling a visit to your primary care physician or cardiologist. Your care team will develop a personalized care plan to determine if Watchman is right for you.

Choose PeaceHealth for your Watchman Procedure

You won’t miss a beat when you choose PeaceHealth for your Watchman Procedure.

The trusted choice

Your heart is in good hands when you pick PeaceHealth. Our cardiac teams that perform Watchman have an average of 23 years of surgical experience and are extensively trained on the procedure.

Quality care

The Watchman procedure can be performed at locations in Washington and Oregon, so you can get the care you need without traveling far. And you can schedule an appointment with a PeaceHealth cardiologist more quickly than any of the leading heart care providers in the communities that we serve.