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Latest News
Press Release
Date: 26/07/2010
Patients with Atrial Fibrillation may now be able to stop Warfarin or other oral anti coagulation medication or blood thinning medication to prevent stroke.
Life Systems Medical announced today that it is bringing to the market in Australia and New Zealand, the new Watchman Left Atrial Appendage closure device. Supported by clinical trials, the Watchman LAA closure device is an alternative to drug therapy in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
The device is a self-expanding nitinol frame structure with a permeable polyester fabric that covers the atrial facing surface. It is implanted via a cardiac catheter and can be sized to accommodate the unique anatomy of each patient's heart. It is permanently implanted into the left atrial appendage of the heart.
The device is supported by a recently published clinical study called the ":PROTECT AF": study. The ":PROTECT AF": study is the only multi center, prospective, randomized clinical trial for comparison of a device to a drug for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, published in The Lancet. It suggests that closure of the left atrial appendage with the Watchman device is an alternative to chronic warfarin therapy in relevant patients.
The 1350 patient year data of the PROTECT AF Study (1), the only study comparing the Watchman Left Atrial Appendage closure device to warfarin, was presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Meeting, Denver, Colorado, May, 2010, showing continued efficacy and safety. Further to this, Reddy et al presented an associated Watchman poster at the same meeting. (2)
This poster focussed on Watchman procedures in patients with a contraindication to warfarin, using aspirin and clopidogrel for post-implant anti-coagulation. This provides further evidence that Watchman is a safe and effective alternative to warfarin for stroke prevention.
The authors concluded that, "This early experience reveals that Watchman implantation without warfarin overlap is safely feasible in AF patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulation".
So, for patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation who are either on or eligible to be on warfarin, Watchman is the device alternative for their stroke prevention.
Currently, there are centres in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and New South Wales performing these procedures, with more to follow soon in South Australia. If you have patients who may be candidates for Watchman or would like further information on the Watchman device, please contact David McPherson at Life Systems Medical on 03 9525 5888 or david@lifesystems.com.au.
The Watchman is fully TGA approved for use in Australia.
About Watchman
Watchman is manufactured in the USA by the company Atritech. Atritech is an emerging medical device company, focused on improving the quality of life for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by providing a permanent alternative to medications that help reduce the risk of AF related stroke. Atritech is a private company located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
www.atritech.net
About Life Systems Medical
Life Systems Medical is a proudly Australian company committed to providing it's customers with the most advanced medical device solutions available worldwide.
Life Systems’ products range from highly effective coronary and vascular solutions to high tech laser technology for the treatment of coronary and vascular disease. They specialize in bringing to Australia new and innovative medical solutions and commit to providing advanced products while ensuring safety and efficacy.
www.lifesystemsmedical.com
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