Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Device (Watchman)

If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem, advanced treatment is available close to home at Bronson.

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a small pouch located in the left upper chamber of the heart. In patients with AFib, the heart beats irregularly, which can cause blood to pool in the LAA and form clots. If a clot leaves the heart, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

A left atrial appendage occluder device may be an effective treatment option. This minimally invasive procedure does not require open-heart surgery and permanently closes off the LAA to help prevent clots from forming.

At Bronson Methodist Hospital, our experienced heart team specializes in implanting the WATCHMAN™ device—the most widely used and doctor-recommended implant for closing the LAA.

Trust the Experienced Team of Heart Doctors

Learn if WATCHMAN is Right for You

You may be a candidate for a left atrial appendage occluder device if you can answer yes to the following questions:

• Do you have atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem?
• Has your doctor recommended that you take a blood thinner for your atrial fibrillation?
• Can you take warfarin but need an alternative to long-term blood thinners for one of the reasons below?
  • You have a history of serious bleeding while taking blood thinners.
  • You have a lifestyle, occupation, or condition that puts you at risk for serious bleeding.
  • You are taking warfarin and having trouble with your treatment plan and a different type of blood thinner isn't an option for you.

Speak with one of our cardiac specialists to see if WATCHMAN might be for you, or download this WATCHMAN brochure to learn more about the implant.

Meet Our Providers

Thomas Keller, Jr., MD, FACC, FSCAI - Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare

Dr. Keller received his undergraduate degree from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated cum laude. Dr. Keller earned his medical degree from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. He completed his combined Internal Medicine/Pediatric residency at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Following his residency, Dr. Keller completed a fellowship in adult cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He is also trained in carotid stenting and interventional endovascular peripheral procedures. Dr. Keller is board certified in pediatrics, internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. He is board eligible in endovascular peripheral intervention. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

Christopher Rogers, DO, FACC, FSCAI - Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare

Dr. Rogers received his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a rotating internship at Lansing General Hospital and an internal medicine residency at Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. Dr. Rogers has also completed fellowships in adult cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology from Wayne State University. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, and is also a peripheral vascular interventionalist. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

Thomas A. Franzon, MD - Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare

Dr. Franzon received his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and computing and information science from the Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He graduated Alpha Omega Alpha from the State University of New York. Dr. Franzon completed his internal medicine residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and his Cardiovascular medicine and clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowships at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. He is board certified in cardiovascular medicine and echocardiography.