Heart plug may help AF patients with stomach bleeding avoid blood thinners

NCT ID NCT06052358

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: Kansas City Heart Rhythm Research Foundation Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at using the WATCHMAN FLX device, a small plug placed in the heart, to prevent strokes in people with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) who also had serious gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The device is meant to close off a part of the heart where clots often form, so patients might not need long-term blood thinners that can cause bleeding. The study planned to compare 250 patients who got the device to 250 similar patients who did not, but it was stopped early and enrolled only 73 people.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: WATCHMAN FLX device
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a way to manage stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients who have had serious GI bleeding, potentially reducing the need for blood thinners.
What could go wrong: This is a small, non-randomized registry that was terminated early, so results may be limited. The device itself carries risks like blood clots or leaks, and it may not fully prevent bleeding or stroke.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ATRIAL FIBRILLATION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

atrial fibrillation Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION GI BLEEDING

Contacts and locations

Locations

Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute - Roe Clinic

Overland Park, Kansas, 66211, United States
Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Overland Park, Kansas, 66215, United States
Research Medical Center

Kansas City, Missouri, 64032, United States
Research Medical Center Clinic

Kansas City, Missouri, 64032, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.