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For people living with atrial fibrillation (AFib), the risk of stroke and long‑term use of blood thinners are important considerations. WATCHMAN is an implantable device designed to reduce stroke risk in patients with non‑valvular AFib by closing off the part of the heart where most stroke‑causing blood clots form. For some patients, WATCHMAN offers an alternative to lifelong anticoagulant medication.
A leader in cardiovascular innovation, Community Health Network was the first in Indiana to perform both the WATCHMAN FLX and WATCHMAN FLX Pro procedures. Since 2016, our specialists have completed over 1,500 successful implants at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital.
If you would like more information about the WATCHMAN procedure, please contact the program coordinator at 317-621-8489.
If you’re learning about WATCHMAN, these resources can help you understand your personal stroke risk and explore whether this option may be right for you.
Learn how WATCHMAN works, who may benefit, and how it can reduce stroke risk—explained by a WATCHMAN physician.
Understanding your stroke risk can help guide conversations about treatment options. Answer a few simple questions to learn more about your personal risk.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart rhythm disorder that significantly increases stroke risk. In people with non-valvular AFib (the most common type), more than 90% of stroke-causing blood clots form in a small area of the heart called the left atrial appendage.
In some patients with AFib, blood thinner medications are an effective way to reduce stroke risk, but they aren’t the right choice for everyone. For patients with a higher risk of bleeding, prior bleeding events, or other medical concerns, a left atrial appendage closure device—such as WATCHMAN—may be considered as an alternative.
Placement of the WATCHMAN device is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure designed to permanently close off the area of the heart where AFib‑related blood clots may form.
Michael Robertson, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital, explains how WATCHMAN targets the main source of stroke in AFib patients: “Most blood clots form in a small area of the heart called the left atrial appendage. By sealing off this area, the device lowers the risk of stroke."
For patients who are unable to take blood thinners—or who are concerned about long‑term bleeding risk—WATCHMAN may provide effective stroke protection, and many patients are able to discontinue blood‑thinner medications after the heart has healed.
The WATCHMAN device was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 and has been offered at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital since 2016. Medicare covers the procedure for eligible patients.
WATCHMAN is placed during a minimally invasive procedure, meaning no open‑heart surgery is required. The device is delivered through a blood vessel in the leg and guided into position within the heart while you are under general anesthesia.
The procedure typically takes about an hour to 90 minutes. Most patients stay in the hospital overnight and return home the next day.
After the procedure, patients remain on blood‑thinner medication for about 45 days while the heart heals and tissue grows over the device. By sealing off the left atrial appendage—where most AFib‑related clots form—the WATCHMAN device helps reduce the risk of stroke, and many patients are able to stop taking long‑term anticoagulant medications.
Learn more about WATCHMAN in the video below.
WATCHMAN is a small, implantable device designed to reduce the risk of stroke in people with non‑valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). It works by closing off a part of the heart where most AFib‑related blood clots form.
WATCHMAN may be an option for people with non‑valvular AFib who are at increased risk for stroke and need an alternative to long‑term blood‑thinner medications due to bleeding risk, side effects or other medical concerns.
Many patients who receive the WATCHMAN device are able to stop taking blood‑thinner medication after the heart has healed. Your care team will determine the safest medication plan for you before and after the procedure.
No. WATCHMAN is placed during a minimally invasive procedure using a catheter through a blood vessel in the leg. It does not require open‑heart surgery.
Yes. The WATCHMAN device is designed to remain in place permanently. Over time, heart tissue grows over the device, helping seal the area and reduce stroke risk.
No. WATCHMAN does not treat atrial fibrillation itself. It reduces the risk of stroke associated with AFib by preventing blood clots from forming in the heart.
Determining whether WATCHMAN is right for you requires an evaluation by a heart rhythm specialist. Your care team will consider your stroke risk, bleeding risk, medical history and overall health before making a recommendation.
Choosing a procedure like WATCHMAN is a big decision, and knowing who will be part of your care can help. At Community, WATCHMAN procedures are performed by experienced cardiologists who specialize in heart rhythm and structural heart care. Meet the physicians who are part of WATCHMAN program below.
Dr. Chanukya Dahagam is a cardiac electrophysiologist with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. He specializes in the management of atrial fibrillation and other complex arrhythmias, with a clinical focus on advanced catheter‑based therapies to reduce stroke risk and improve quality of life. Dr. Dahagam sees patients in Indianapolis and Kokomo, Indiana.
Dr. Dahagam completed fellowship training in cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, following a cardiovascular disease fellowship at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. He completed his internal medicine residency training at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and MedStar Franklin Square Hospital Center. He earned his medical degree from Ross University Medical School.
Dr. Dahagam is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiac electrophysiology, cardiovascular disease and internal medicine.
Dr. Bill Godley grew up in Fort Wayne, IN prior to receiving his bachelor degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He then went on to attend medical school at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he graduated with honors. Following this he completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. To round out his training, Dr. Godley completed general and interventional cardiology fellowships at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, TX, where he served as chief cardiology fellow.
Dr. Godley has an interest in all areas of cardiac and vascular interventional medicine – including complex coronary and peripheral revascularization, as well as minimally-invasive interventions for structural and valvular heart disease.
Dr. Keating joined Community Heart and Vascular in 2013, specializing in clinical cardiac electrophysiology. He attended Notre Dame for his undergraduate, and then Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed further training in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic Arizona.
Dr. Keating completed a two-year fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology, serving as chief electrophysiologist in his second year, at Aurora Healthcare (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). He also completed a cardiology fellowship at Aurora Healthcare.
Dr. Keating is board certified in cardiac electrophysiology, internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Malineni, board-certified cardiologist, joined Community Heart and Vascular in 2010. Previously, Dr. Malineni served as an electrophysiologist at Illinois Heart and Vascular in Hinsdale. He completed his fellowship in cardiology at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois and his fellowship in electrophysiology at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He completed postgraduate training in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where he was chosen as chief resident. Dr. Malineni attended Wayne State University, where he earned both his medical degree and bachelor of science in biology.
He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine and cardiac electrophysiology.
Dr. Purohit is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist and specializes in management of cardiac arrhythmias ranging from medical management to cardiac implantable devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators (AICDs) and radio-frequency catheter ablations.
Dr. Purohit completed his medical degree at the University College of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India. He completed internal medicine residency training and a general cardiology fellowship at the University of Iowa. He then completed a cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at UCLA.
Anil Ranginani, MD received his medical degree at Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, India. He is an experienced interventional cardiologist with a strong background in peripheral intervention and vascular care. Prior to joining Community, he worked as an interventional cardiologist at Mercy Hospital, Chicago.
His areas of expertise include coronary interventions, defibrillators, extracranial carotid interventions, nuclear cardiology, peripheral interventions, primary coronary angioplasties and vascular care.
Dr. Robertson, interventional cardiologist, began his medical career in 2006. He completed his fellowships in both cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at the University of Colorado, as well as internship and residency in internal medicine. Dr. Robertson earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine.
He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.
Dr. Kevin Trulock completed his bachelor of science in biology from Indiana University and represented the Hoosiers as the place kicker on the football team. He went on to complete his doctorate in medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine, where he graduated with honors. After this, he completed his internal medicine residency at Duke University. Dr. Trulock returned to the Midwest to complete his cardiovascular medicine and cardiac electrophysiology fellowships at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where he served as chief fellow.
Dr. Trulock’s areas of expertise include lead extraction, complex atrial and ventricular ablations, as well as pacemaker, ICD and biventricular device implantation and management.
