Cottage Heart & Vascular Center Implants 1,000th WATCHMAN Device for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
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The Cottage Heart & Vascular Center’s structural heart team at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) recently performed their 1,000th WATCHMAN device procedure, a minimally invasive solution for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). With more WATCHMAN procedures performed than any other hospital in the region, SBCH is the first hospital on the Central Coast to achieve this milestone.
The WATCHMAN implant provides an alternative treatment to reduce stroke risk for individuals with non-valvular AFib who need options beyond blood thinners. The minimally invasive WATCHMAN procedure seals off the heart's left atrial appendage with a quarter-size sack that prevents blood clots from forming.
“This achievement is a proud moment for the entire structural heart team,” said Dr. Joseph Aragon, interventional cardiologist. “We could not have achieved 1,000 procedures without the team’s expertise and commitment to clinical excellence in every case.”
“Performing 1,000 WATCHMAN procedures is more than just a number to us—it’s a testament to our team’s dedication and the trust of our patients,” said Dr. Michael Shenoda. “We consider it a privilege to support our patients in reducing stroke risk and feeling more confident about their health.”
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart condition affecting millions of people, in which the upper chambers of the heart beat too fast and with irregular rhythm. AFib can cause blood to clot in the heart’s left atrial appendage. If those clots break loose, they can cause a stroke. An estimated 20 percent of all strokes occur in patients with AFib.
SBCH began offering WATCHMAN in 2016 and was the first hospital on the Central Coast and one of the first hospitals in California to offer the FDA-approved WATCHMAN implant. The WATCHMAN implant does not cure AFib, and it should not be placed in a patient whose AFib is related to heart valve disease.
The Heart and Vascular Center at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a nationally recognized regional destination for cardiovascular expertise and medical management of complex heart and vascular conditions.
