В Ванкувере успешно имплантировано 2000-е устройство WATCHMAN для профилактики инсультов

VANCOUVER, Wash. — PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center has reached a major clinical milestone with the successful implantation of its 2,000th WATCHMAN cardiac device, reinforcing the program’s position as the largest WATCHMAN implanting center in the Pacific Northwest. PeaceHealth Southwest in 2015 was the first hospital in the Pacific Northwest to implant the WATCHMAN device, underscoring more than a decade of clinical leadership. Officially named the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) device, the apparatus is about the size of a quarter. It reduces the risk of stroke in patients who have atrial fibrillation, or AFib, by sealing off an area of the heart where blood can collect and is a common source of blood clots. When a clot travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke. The WATCHMAN device offers a safe, effective alternative to blood thinners. The implant procedure is minimally invasive, making the entire process from start to discharge relatively short. The one-time procedure also has less impact on patients’ lifestyles than using blood thinners. “Reaching 2,000 WATCHMAN implants is a testament to the expertise of our physicians, the dedication of our lab teams, and our long-standing commitment to providing advanced stroke-prevention options for patients,” said PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Chief Hospital Executive Cherelle Montanye. “This milestone reflects years of teamwork, innovation, and patient-centered care of our entire PeaceHealth cardiovascular team, including our valued partnership with The Vancouver Clinic cardiology clinicians.”