Maria was the first in Bucks to implant the Watchman FLX Pro device

The Watchman FLX Pro implantation was performed on May 1 by Syed Hussain, MD, an interventional cardiologist at St. Mary. Since the first procedure was performed on patients in St. Mary another 17 Watchman FLX Pro implants.

Built on the proven safety and procedural performance of the Watchman FLX LAAC, the Watchman FLX Pro device features a durable polymer coating designed to reduce the risk of device-related clotting, visualization markers for ease of placement, and a wider matrix to allow for treatment more patients.

An estimated seven million Americans have atrial fibrillation. People with AF have a higher risk of stroke than people with a normal heart rhythm. The Watchman FLX Pro device closes an area of ​​the heart called the left atrial appendage to prevent harmful blood clots that can form in the left atrial appendage from entering the bloodstream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing the left atrial appendage, the risk of stroke can be reduced to less than one percent, similar to the reduction in strokes with anticoagulation. An advantage is that after implantation, patients can stop taking oral anticoagulants (blood thinners).

Watchman technology has been implanted to treat over 300,000 patients worldwide in a single procedure. This permanent device does not need to be replaced and cannot be seen outside the body. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Some patients may need an overnight stay, but most can be discharged the same day.

To learn more about the cardiac care available at St. Mary, visit trinityhealthma.org/find-a-service-or-specialty/heart-and-vascular/st-mary/.