The Banner North Colorado Medical Center has completed its 250th minimally invasive procedure for stroke prevention.
David Bicknell, Banner Health cardiologist and electrophysiologist, finished the 250th procedure the hospital has conducted on Feb. 5 since the program started in 2016, according to a Banner Health news release. In 2016, previous models and devices made the surgery challenging, Bicknell said, while also facing challenges in reimbursement and approval.
In 2021, the introduction of the new device, the Watchman FLX, and the ease of reimbursement have made the rate of the team’s goal significant in the last 24 months, according to Bicknell.
“It has been a team effort; the Cath lab team, acute recovery unit, anesthesiology, general imaging cardiology, our structural heart team and Dr. Shane Rowan, who helped start the program, should all be very proud,” said Bicknell.
The WATCHMAN, a permanent implant the size of a quarter, offers an alternative to blood thinners, the release said. The implant closes the left atrial appendage in the heart and keeps the clots contained in that area to reduce the risk of stroke.
The minimally invasive procedure includes the insertion of a catheter through a blood vessel in the patient’s groin and then it’s maneuvered to the left atrial appendage where the device is implanted.
“This is a safe, same-day discharge for most patients, and we have a 95% success rate of placement, which is the national average,” said Bicknell.
The Banner team encourages patients with questions about atrial fibrillation or lowering their risk of stroke to schedule an appointment with their primary care provider.
