CANTON, Ohio (April 25, 2018) – Drs. M. Rizwan Sardar and Firas Hamdan of Aultman’s Specialized Heart & Valve Center performed the first Watchman device procedure at Aultman Hospital on Feb. 14, 2018. Since then, they have performed six procedures. The minimally invasive procedure places a roughly quarter-sized implant into the left atrium of the heart, reducing the risk of blood clots and stroke while offering new hope to patients living with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who want an alternative to taking blood-thinning medication such as Coumadin.

The Watchman procedure is done through very small openings, so there is no need to open the chest itself. Using a catheter, the surgeon implants the Watchman device in the left atrial appendage, an area of the heart where blood may pool and form a clot. The Watchman device closes off this area, keeping the blood from pooling and clotting, reducing the patient’s risk for stroke. The Watchman device has been approved for patients with AFib whose arrhythmia is not caused by a heart valve problem, and who want an alternative to using blood thinners. The hospital stay after the procedure is minimal.

“Typically, patients stay with us for 24 hours after the procedure,” Dr. Sardar said.

The Specialized Heart & Valve Center at Aultman Hospital offers an array of services to community members dealing with difficult cardiac issues. The multidisciplinary team provides a comprehensive structural heart disease program, offering diagnosis and treatment options for a full spectrum of conditions while focusing on the unique needs of each patient.

The Specialized Heart & Valve Center is able to treat eligible AFib patients who live in Stark County and the surrounding areas without sending them to Cleveland, Akron or Pittsburgh. The team includes an interventional cardiologist, cardiac surgeons, cardiac imaging specialists and a cardiac anesthesiologist.