Holiday Hours

With the exception of Inova hospitals, Inova Emergency Care and Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care, all Inova outpatient offices will be closed for the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays – Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Some Inova care sites have additional closures for the holidays, which will be noted on the relevant location pages. 

Stroke Risk Reduction
 WATCHMAN FLX™

People with atrial fibrillation (Afib) have a higher risk of stroke due to an irregular heart rhythm that can cause blood to clot in the left atrial appendage (LAA) of the heart. If the blood clot travels to the brain, it can cut off the oxygen-rich blood supply.

Most often, patients who are at increased risk of stroke because of Afib are treated using anticoagulation medication, known as blood thinners, but not everyone can tolerate the medication. For those with Afib not caused by a heart valve problem, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular offers an alternative to medication using a minimally invasive procedure to implant the WATCHMAN FLX™ device.

What is WATCHMAN FLX™?

Like the original WATCHMAN technology, the next-generation WATCHMAN FLX™ is a parachute-like device inserted at the opening of the LAA to prevent clots from leaving the appendage and causing a stroke. The procedure is performed by a team of interventional cardiologists and cardiac electrophysiologists.

The recent improvements to the technology make the procedure more efficient, safer and appropriate for more patients. Insertion of the device is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure and typically involves only an overnight hospital stay.

Who is WATCHMAN appropriate for?

WATCHMAN is for those with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners.

Contact Us

Director of Inova's WATCHMAN Program

Matthew Sherwood, MD
Matthew W. Sherwood, MD
Specialty
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease
Years of Experience
18

Wayne Batchelor, MD
Wayne B. Batchelor, MD
Specialty
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease
Years of Experience
34
Elizabeth Held, MD
Elizabeth Held, MD
Specialty
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine
Years of Experience
10
Zachary Hollis, MD
Zachary T. Hollis, MD
Specialty
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine
Years of Experience
14
Shahram Yazdani, MD
Shahram Yazdani, MD
Specialty
Interventional Cardiology
Clinical Interests
Cardiac, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Nutrition, Preventive Disease Care, Sleep Disorder
Years of Experience
33

Learn More