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Watchman trial finds single-drug regimens match dual therapy after heart implant

Presented commentary on the trial at TCT 2026

Patients who receive the Watchman device to seal off the left atrial appendage usually leave the hospital on two antiplatelet drugs at once. The SIMPLAAFY trial, reported November 2 at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting in San Diego and published in JAMA, tested whether one drug would do. Across 1,857 patients at 87 US sites, both a reduced-dose oral anticoagulant and aspirin alone matched dual antiplatelet therapy on death, stroke, systemic embolism and major bleeding at six months.

Updated 1 hour ago

Notable Quotes

We can say that monotherapy is probably the way to go—I'll simplify it—for most patients.

from Watchman trial finds single-drug regimens match dual therapy after heart implant · Updated 1 hour ago

That's why we didn't want to come out straightaway and say that single antiplatelet therapy is the right way to go for all patients.

from Watchman trial finds single-drug regimens match dual therapy after heart implant · Updated 1 hour ago