Innovative Heart Care: AdventHealth Porter Implants 500th WATCHMAN Device

AdventHealth Porter’s cath lab team recently reached the impressive milestone of implanting their 500^th WATCHMAN device. They are one of the first hospitals in the Denver metro area to tout this accomplishment. Dr. Sri Sundaram, Electrophysiologist with AdventHealth Porter and South Denver Cardiology Associates performed the surgery.

“The WATCHMAN device blocks the part of the heart called the left atrial appendage,” said Dr. Sri Sundaram. “This is where the vast majority of blood clots in atrial fibrillation form. The treatment options are to take blood thinners the rest of their lives or to have the WATCHMAN device implanted. Most patients do just fine with the blood thinners but about a third to half of patients cannot tolerate these medications. They have bleeding from other organs that can cause severe problems. The WATCHMAN device is equivalent to protecting patients from stroke as blood thinners but does not have the side effects of bleeding like the blood thinning medications.”

An estimated 7 million Americans are affected by atrial fibrillation (AFib) – an irregular heartbeat that can feel like a quivering heart. AFib is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia. It can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. The risk for AFib increases with age, high blood pressure, obesity, and other factors.

Symptoms of AFib can include:

• Feelings of fast, fluttering, or a pounding heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness

Though many who have AFib do not experience any noticeable symptoms. AFib can be occasional, persistent, or permanent and the symptoms can vary depending on the type and duration of the condition.

“Our team has been working closely with our physicians, the WATCHMAN team at South Denver Cardiology Associates, and the Boston Scientific WATCHMAN team for years,” said Alan Pollack, Manager IR, Cath/EP Lab. “We have developed a well-versed, efficient, compassionate, and highly trained group that can help treat AFib in multiple ways, from new ablation technologies, such as implanting WATCHMAN devices to help AFib patients come off their long-term blood thinners which can be life changing.”

At AdventHealth Porter, we work together every day to strengthen hearts with comprehensive and compassionate cardiovascular care. From diagnostic testing to advanced treatment options, our board-certified specialists are dedicated to whole-person healing.

“Approximately 10 years ago, the doctors at South Denver Cardiology implanted the second left atrial appendage occlusion device in the U.S., which was also the first in Colorado,” said Dr. Sri Sundaram. “With the 500^th device, South Denver Cardiology and AdventHealth continue to lead the way in innovation and caring for the patients in our community.”

To learn more about the cardiac care offered at AdventHealth Porter, please visit: Heart and Vascular Care | AdventHealth Porter