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Centro Médico Menonita Cayey Implants the 100th WATCHMAN™

By on September 8, 2022

Device for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Centro Médico Menonita Cayey and its Cardiovascular Center set a new record by reaching 100 patients with the WATCHMAN™ cardiac implant. Boston Scientific’s internal cardiac device is designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Centro Médico Menonita is one of the first hospital facilities on the island to offer the WATCHMAN™ device as an alternative to the lifelong use of anticoagulants for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. It is estimated that seven million Americans are affected by AF, and in Puerto Rico, the prevalence of the condition is estimated at 28,000. AF causes an irregular heartbeat that can feel like a shaky heart, and those with AF have a five times higher risk of stroke than those with normal heart rhythms.

“The WATCHMAN™ device closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to prevent harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering into the bloodstream and cause a stroke,” said Roberto Rizzo, Business Unit Manager at Boston Scientific.

“By closing the LAA, the risk of stroke can be reduced and, over time, patients can stop taking their anticoagulants.” He added that the WATCHMAN™ device is a sign of Boston Scientific’s commitment and determination to develop effective technologies that help save lives. The WATCHMAN™ device serves as a safe and effective alternative for stroke risk reduction, especially for those patients who have a clinical justification for stopping anticoagulation therapy. For example, this includes patients who have a history of bleeding from taking these medications.

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