WATCHMAN
PROTECT AF
A randomized trial comparing left atrial appendage closure with WATCHMAN against warfarin for stroke prevention in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Read published study information ↗About ACRC
Clinical insight. Thoughtful investigation.
Our purpose is to improve health through cardiovascular research, with clear communication and respect for every participant.
Our mission and approach
ACRC’s mission is to improve health through research and innovative science. Integrity, teamwork, and careful investigation guide the work. Contact us to discuss investigator-initiated questions or sponsored studies.
Principal investigator
Vijay Swarup, MD, FACC, FHRS
Vijay Swarup, MD, FACC, FHRS, serves as ACRC’s principal investigator. His clinical background is in cardiac electrophysiology, a specialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. His role connects clinical experience with the questions studied in cardiovascular research.
Research involves a team: investigators, research coordinators, and regulatory staff. The research office is your starting point for questions about study availability, participation, and investigator information.
Clinical connections
Arizona Heart Rhythm Center
Electrophysiology and clinical heart rhythm care.
Heart Health Center
An outpatient cardiovascular procedure setting in the same building.
For research partners
Request the current investigator CV, publication information, and study experience from our research office. We can discuss how the investigator background and site setting relate to your protocol.
Invasive & structural heart research
Left atrial appendage closure
Our clinical research program has been among the world’s largest sites for left atrial appendage closure. Our investigators’ experience includes participation in PROTECT AF, PREVAIL, WATCHMAN FLX research, and Amulet IDE—studies exploring device-based approaches to stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
A different question from AFib ablation
The left atrial appendage is a small pouch in the heart where clots can form in people with AFib. Catheter-based closure places a device at its opening to help reduce stroke risk in selected patients. It addresses stroke prevention; it does not treat the abnormal rhythm itself.
WATCHMAN
PREVAIL
A randomized study examining the safety and effectiveness of WATCHMAN compared with long-term warfarin therapy in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Read published study information ↗WATCHMAN FLX
WATCHMAN FLX research
Experience with the next generation of WATCHMAN technology. The published PINNACLE FLX trial evaluated procedural safety and appendage closure with this device.
Read published study information ↗Amplatzer Amulet
Amulet IDE
A randomized trial comparing the Amulet occluder with the first-generation WATCHMAN device for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Read published study information ↗What patients should know
Closure is not suitable for everyone and does not eliminate all stroke risk. Implantation carries risks, including bleeding and procedural complications. Follow-up imaging and blood-thinning medicines may still be needed. Your clinician can explain the choices for your circumstances.
These studies describe our investigators’ research experience and published evidence. They are not current recruitment listings. Contact the research office to ask about studies available at ACRC.