UAB St. Vincent’s East recently reached a significant milestone with the completion of its 1,000th WATCHMAN™ procedure. This achievement highlights its commitment to providing life-changing alternatives for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common type of abnormal heart rhythm.
The WATCHMAN device is a permanent implant designed to close off the left atrial appendage, a part of the heart that is the primary source of stroke-causing blood clots in patients with AFib. The procedure provides a long-term alternative to blood thinners (anticoagulants), reducing the risk of stroke while eliminating the bleeding risks associated with blood thinners.
“WATCHMAN has transformed how we care for patients with atrial fibrillation by offering stroke protection without the long-term burden of anticoagulation,” said John Parks, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at UAB St. Vincent’s East. “For many patients, WATCHMAN means freedom from bleeding concerns and from the anxiety that comes with taking lifelong blood thinners. Being part of that change for over 1,000 patients is something we are very proud of.”
The success of the program is built upon a high level of coordination among clinical specialists, nursing staff, and support teams. This achievement reflects a longstanding partnership between hospital facilities and specialized cardiovascular providers to provide this care to the community.
“This milestone would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our entire cardiovascular team,” said interventional cardiologist Corey Coleman, M.D. “We strive to deliver innovative, world-class care close to home for our patients, while also providing a care environment where patients feel respected, informed, safe, and genuinely supported in their health care journey.”
As the program continues to grow, the 1,000-procedure mark serves as a testament to the clinical volume and specialized expertise available at UAB St. Vincent’s East.
“It speaks to the strength of our program, the collaboration across our care teams, and the trust that patients and referring physicians place in us,” said interventional cardiologist Christopher George, M.D.