For people living with atrial fibrillation (AFib), one of the greatest concerns is the risk of stroke. Traditionally, that risk is managed with blood thinners such as Eliquis, Xarelto, or Warfarin. More recently, the WATCHMAN device has provided another option, sealing off the left atrial appendage where most clots form.

Now, a major international clinical trial — LAAOS-4— is testing what happens when we combine these two approaches, blood thinners plus WATCHMAN. Could the combination provide even stronger protection against stroke and cognitive decline?

In this episode of The Pulse Report, Dr. Shen explains:

• How LAAOS-4 builds on earlier research showing surgical closure of the left atrial appendage plus blood thinners reduces stroke risk.
• Why high-risk patients may benefit most from combining medical and device-based protection.
• What participation in the trial looks like — from randomization to minimally invasive WATCHMAN implantation to memory and brain health follow-up.
• How this global collaboration of 4,000 patients could shape the future of AFib care and stroke prevention worldwide.
• Why the Quad Cities community is proud to be part of this groundbreaking research.

This Innovation Update episode takes you inside one of the most important AFib trials underway today — and what it could mean for the way doctors and patients approach stroke prevention in the years ahead.

If you or a loved one has AFib and a high stroke risk, this episode offers clarity, context, and insights you can take to your next cardiology conversation.

Let's keep your heart — and your life — going strong and in rhythm.

Living with atrial fibrillation (AFib) means more than coping with an erratic heartbeat—it means facing the twin challenges of maintaining rhythm and avoiding stroke.

In this Innovation Update from The Pulse Report, Dr. Shen, a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology and the Director of Research and Education at Cardiovascular Medicine (CVM), explores a new approach that addresses both problems in a single procedure.

This episode takes you inside one of the most exciting advances in AFib care: combining pulsed field ablation (PFA) with WATCHMAN device implantation during the same session.

You’ll discover:

• What PFA is and how it works: An ablation technique that uses short electrical pulses—rather than heat or cold—to precisely target abnormal tissue while reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures.
• What the WATCHMAN does: A small implant that seals off the heart’s left atrial appendage, the area where most AFib-related clots form, lowering stroke risk without requiring lifelong blood thinners.
• Why combining them matters: Patients receive rhythm control and stroke protection in one procedure, with fewer hospital visits, reduced anesthesia use, and a quicker return to daily life.
• Who might benefit most from this combined approach, and how it is already transforming care in the Quad Cities and beyond.
• What early evidence shows: Research has shown that PFA and WATCHMAN are safe and effective treatment options on their own; now, emerging data and new reimbursement support are paving the way for combined use when it makes sense.
• A real patient story that shows how innovation in medicine is not just about technology, but about restoring quality of life.

If you or a loved one are living with AFib, this episode offers clarity, confidence, and insights to guide conversations with your cardiologist.

Let's keep your heart — and your life — going strong and in rhythm.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) isn’t just about irregular heartbeats—it also has important implications for brain health. In this episode of The Pulse Report, Dr. Shen, a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology and the Director of Research and Education at Cardiovascular Medicine (CVM), breaks down findings from a major international study published in Circulation.

For people living with AFib, stroke prevention is usually the top concern. But this global collaboration shows that AFib’s impact goes further—silently affecting memory, thinking, and long-term brain health, even in people who have never had a traditional stroke.

You’ll learn:

• Why AFib increases the risk of dementia and memory decline—even without a major stroke.
• How “silent” brain injuries, disrupted blood flow, and chronic inflammation link AFib to cognitive decline.
• Why these effects can accumulate gradually, “chipping away” at brain health over years.
• The role of treatments like blood thinners, rhythm control, and ablation in protecting not just the heart, but also the brain.
• How lifestyle factors — from blood pressure and diabetes control to sleep and exercise — strengthen both heart rhythm and memory.
• Why early detection of AFib and early recognition of subtle cognitive changes are essential for long-term health.

This Research Spotlight takes you inside one of the most important global reviews of AFib and dementia to date. It highlights what patients, families, and doctors should know about the heart–brain connection—and what steps can be taken now to protect both.

This is more than a heart health issue—it’s a reminder that protecting your rhythm also means protecting your memory and quality of life.

If you or a loved one are living with AFib, this episode offers clarity, confidence, and actionable insights to help you stay strong—in both heart and mind.

Read more: Rivard L, de Bruijn S, & Freedman B, et al. (2022). Atrial Fibrillation and Dementia: A Report From the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration. Circulation, 145(5), 392–409. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.055018

Let's keep your heart — and your life — going strong and in rhythm.