WATCHMAN™ Implant Device Support

MRI safety information

If you’re a healthcare professional, visit our dedicated page for MRI guidance for the WATCHMAN Implant.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a diagnostic test that uses a strong electromagnetic field to produce images of the human body. 

Healthcare provider with patient in an MRI room reviewing a document.

Getting an MRI with the WATCHMAN Implant

Important: Before getting an MRI, be sure to tell your healthcare team that you have a WATCHMAN Implant and show them your WATCHMAN Implant card so they can take all necessary safety precautions.

The WATCHMAN Implant is “MR Conditional.” This means that it’s safe to have an MRI with the WATCHMAN Implant under specific conditions. 

MRI conditions are set by device generation: the specific type of WATCHMAN Implant you have. This information is on your implant card. Show your implant card to your healthcare team so they can safely plan and provide an MRI. 

If you lost or did not receive an implant card for your WATCHMAN Implant, call (855) 637-9428 and our WATCHMAN Education Team will send you a new blank card.

If your healthcare team has questions, you can direct them to contact Boston Scientific for MRI conditions for your device.

What does my healthcare team need to do?

Your healthcare team should refer to the Instructions for Use for your WATCHMAN Implant, which are available at IFU-BSCI.com.

If you and your healthcare team aren't sure what type of WATCHMAN Implant you have, your healthcare provider can still proceed with an MRI. The guidance is to refer to the MRI criteria in the WATCHMAN FLX LAAC Device IFU. If you received your implant before 2022, it is also recommended to limit continuous scan duration to 15 minutes per the WATCHMAN LAAC Device IFU. These instructions will ensure the most stringent MRI criteria among the potentially implanted device generations are applied. 

We’ve also created a WATCHMAN Implant MRI handout for healthcare professionals with an overview of MRI guidance by device. 

If your healthcare team has questions, you can direct them to Boston Scientific for MRI conditions for your device.

Have questions about the WATCHMAN Implant?

WATCHMAN Educational Specialists are trained professionals with healthcare experience.

They’re here to help answer your questions. 

Call (855) 637-9428

Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM Central Time

Indications

The WATCHMAN Implant is for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners. This website is intended to provide patients and caregivers with some information about the WATCHMAN Implant. It may help prepare you for talking to your doctor about your options for reducing stroke risk. 

Important Safety Information 

The WATCHMAN and WATCHMAN FLX Devices are permanent implants designed to close the left atrial appendage in the heart in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke. 

With all medical procedures there are risks associated with the implant procedure and the use of the device. The risks include but are not limited to accidental heart puncture, air embolism, allergic reaction, anemia, anesthesia risks, arrhythmias, AV (Arteriovenous) fistula, bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, bruising at the catheter insertion site, clot formation on the device, cranial bleed, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, hypotension, infection/pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary vein obstruction, renal failure, stroke, thrombosis and transient ischemic attack. In rare cases death can occur. 

Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of the device.