LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Lima Memorial Health System is offering a new device to help prevent strokes in people who have Atrial Fibrillation.
The WATCHMAN device is placed in the upper left chamber of the heart called left atrial appendage. This keeps the blood from pooling and forming a blood clot that can be pumped to the brain and cause a stroke. People with atrial fibrillation have a five time greater risk of strokes than people with normal heart rhythm. About 40 percent of people with atrial fibrillation cannot take certain blood thinners due to a high bleeding risk.
“The WATCHMAN device closes the left atrial appendage. This prevents blood clots forming and breaking loose causing a stroke,” says Dr. Zane W.M. Dean, Cardiologist and Structural Heart Director LMHS. “The WATCHMAN device blocks off that appendage chamber of the heart. Therefore, the blood does not stay there and does not form a clot there.”
The procedure is minimally invasive using a catheter that goes into the leg to the heart.
“The patients are discharged home the next day after the procedure after we take a quick look at the heart to make sure that everything is ok, and they follow up in our clinic in about a week and again in about 6 weeks,” adds Dr. Dean.
Patients interested in learning more about the WATCHMAN device may call the Lima Memorial Structural Heart Coordinator at 419-998-4404.
