Boston Scientific’s Watchman shows AF benefits in new trial

Boston Scientific's Watchman device for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has had its safety and efficacy profile reinforced by positive data from a new US clinical trial.

According to data appearing in the latest issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the heart implant made was able to offer quality of life improvements compared to warfarin among AF patients after one year.

The percutaneously delivered left atrial appendage (LAA) closure implant is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for oral anticoagulation among nonvalvular AF sufferers and has been approved in Europe since 2005, though it remains an investigational device in the US.

Dr Oluseun Alli of the University of Alabama said: "The improvements were mainly in the area of physical functioning and were seen in both warfarin naive and not-warfarin-naive patients treated with LAA closure."

In August 2012, Watchman received EU approval for an expanded indication, allowing it to be used as a means of reducing the likelihood of stroke among AF patients as a contraindication to anticoagulants.