Riverside Successfully Completed 100th Watchman Procedures

Riverside Heart & Vascular Institute announces the successful completion of its 100th Watchman procedure. The Watchman is a small, implantable device that offers an alternative to the lifelong use of a blood thinner for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also known as non-valvular AFib). AFib is a common heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. The irregular heartbeat can lead to blood clots that can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

“We are excited to have performed our 100th Watchman procedure,” said Kyle Benoit, Riverside Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The Watchman procedure is a safe and effective option for patients with AFib who are at high risk for stroke. We are proud to offer this innovative procedure to the patients in our community.”

The Watchman procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in the Riverside’s state-of-the-art interventional suites. The procedure takes about an hour and patients are typically discharged from the hospital the next day.

“After completing 100 Watchman procedures we are confident in the effectiveness of the device and the peace of mind it offers to patients who are unable to take blood thinners for the rest of their lives to prevent a stroke,” said Dr. Vikas Patel, an interventional cardiologist at Riverside.

The Watchman procedure is FDA-approved and has been shown to be effective in preventing stroke in patients with AFib. The Watchman procedure is a good option for patients who are not candidates for traditional open-heart surgery.

“It is the collaboration of our team that allows us to bring these advanced procedures to this community,” said Dr. Abhimanyu Beri an electrophysiologist with Riverside Heart & Vascular Institute. “I am happy to report that our 100^th Watchman patient has made a great recovery and has returned to doing the things that he loves. “

If you have AFib and are at high risk for stroke, talk to your doctor about whether the Watchman procedure is right for you.

For more information about the Riverside Heart & Vascular Institute, visit riversidehealthcare.org/heart