Patients with atrial fibrillation, commonly known as AFib, have a very high risk of stroke. Almost 98% of strokes come from a blood clot that forms in the left atrial appendage, a little pocket in the left upper chamber of the heart. We can help prevent stroke in AFib patients by closing that pocket off with a small device called a WATCHMAN device.
“So the WATCHMAN device is used for patients who have atrial fibrillation, who need to take a blood thinner but have some reason why they can’t take it – either excessive bleeding, excessive bruising, falling down, risk of falling. There are many reasons why a patient cannot take a blood thinner but need some type of stroke prevention. This is where the WATCHMAN device is used,” says Philip Patel, MD, President, Eisenhower Desert Cardiology Center. Patel further highlights the value of the WATCHMAN device over blood thinners: “The beauty of this device is we now are able to help patients prevent against stroke without giving them all of the side effects that were a come the blood thinner that they had to take.”
In this Health Insights video blog update – AFib Patients Stroke Prevention: The WATCHMAN Device – Dr. Patel covers the following:
Eisenhower Desert Cardiology Center is currently the 3rd largest WATCHMAN implant center in Southern California. There are numerous reasons why blood thinners are not ideal solutions for stroke prevention: this is where the WATCHMAN device is helpful.
Learn more about the full spectrum of leading-edge technology and comprehensive services available at Eisenhower Desert Cardiology Center (click on the name to learn more) – recognized as a leader in cardiovascular care in the region.
More from Dr. Patel:
Meet Dr. Patel: Dr. Philip Patel Video Introduction
A True Paradigm Shift in Cardiac Technology: D-SPECT Imaging
Cardiology Video Playlist: Cardiology Medical Minute Series
U.S. News & World Report has released its prestigious annual hospital rankings. Eisenhower Health ranks #1 in the Inland Empire and #12 in California. Eisenhower Health was also rated High Performing in 20 types of care — the highest number of specialty recognitions earned by a hospital in the Inland Empire, including five specialty recognitions in Cardiology: Aortic Valve Surgery, Heart Attack, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure and Stroke.
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