What is a primary indication for patients to undergo Watchman FLX treatment?

The primary indication for patients to undergo Watchman FLX treatment is that they are atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with an increased risk for stroke or embolism. Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that significantly raises the risk of thrombus formation, particularly in the left atrial appendage. These thrombi can then lead to ischemic strokes if they dislodge and travel to the brain.

The Watchman FLX device is specifically designed to occlude the left atrial appendage, thereby preventing potential blood clots from exiting this area and reducing the risk of stroke for patients who are not candidates for long-term anticoagulation therapy. This makes it a critical intervention for managing stroke risk in a subgroup of AF patients.

In contrast, while patients with a history of myocardial infarction may have increased cardiovascular risk, this alone does not specifically warrant Watchman FLX treatment. Chronic diabetes is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease but does not inherently indicate the need for LAAO. Similarly, patients undergoing routine health check-ups do not fall into a category that necessitates this procedure, as the intervention is targeted specifically at stroke prevention in AF patients with identified risks.