On December 3rd, Electrophysiologist from First Coast Heart and Vascular, Dr. Neil K. Sanghvi, spoke at Flagler Hospital regarding AFib and the Watchman procedure.
WATCHMAN is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also known as non-valvuar AFib) who need an alternative to blood thinners.
Non-valvular Afib can mean a lifetime of blood thinners. It can also mean a lifetime of worry about issues like bleeds and falls. More than 100,000 people have left blood thinners behind with WATCHMAN.
How WATCHMAN Works
To understand how WATCHMAN works, it helps to know more about the connection between atrial fibrillation and stroke.
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, affects your heart’s ability to pump blood normally. This can cause blood to pool in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage, or LAA. There, blood cells can stick together and form a clot. When a blood clot escapes from the LAA and travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke.1,2
In people with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem, more than 90% of stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the LAA.1 That’s why closing off this part of the heart is an effective way to reduce stroke risk.
The WATCHMAN Implant fits right into your LAA. It’s designed to permanently close it off and keep those blood clots from escaping. WATCHMAN is about the size of a quarter and made from very light and compact materials commonly used in many other medical implants.
Science always looks for ways to make effective treatments even better. WATCHMAN is no exception. The WATCHMAN FLX design is an advancement that enables the implant to fit a greater number of patients, giving more people than ever a safe, effective alternative to blood thinners should they need one.
In a clinical trial, 96% of people were able to stop taking blood thinners just 45 days after the WATCHMAN procedure.3
We are excited to announce that we have moved our St. Augustine office to a larger office space. We are now located at 100 Whetstone Place, Suite 102, St. Augustine, FL 32086. The office building is at the corner of 312 and Sargent Tutten Drive. Our phone and fax numbers are the same. Phone: 904-342-8300 Fax: 904-342-8301.
Recently Dr. Dinesh Pubbi was invited to give a talk at Memorial Hospital here in Jacksonville about the effects of Atrial Fibrillation. Atrial Fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia. Dr. Pubbi discussed treatment options, including the Watchman implant device procedure that he performs at Memorial Hospital, to reduce the risk of stroke.
Dr. Dinesh Pubbi was recently featured on First Coast Living and discussed Atrial Fibrillation also known as AFib.
What is atrial fibrillation?
Also called AFib.
Most common arrhythmia in USA and world wide.
5 to 6.5 million now. By 2050 eight million will be effected.
Irregular heart beat from upper chamber of heart.
2- What are the signs/symptoms? What Do People Feel?
Some people may complain of palpitations shortness of breath, chest pain, racing heart.
Flip flops in heart fluttering or flopping.
Fatigue and tiredness.
30% may not have any symptoms at all.
3- Are women more likely than men to have irregular heart beats? What about Race; are Afro Americans more likely than the white population to suffer from irregular heart beats?
Women tend to develop atrial fibrillation at an older age then men; 4 years older.
Risk of death higher in women with AFib.
Women need to see electrophysiologist sooner.
Caucasians have higher prevalence of AFib.
4-Is atrial fibrillation associated with stroke or heart attack risk?
AFib is the leading cause of stroke.
Risk of stroke five times higher than normal population.
Up to 80%of strokes in people with AFib can be prevented.
5 -How is AFib treated?
Depends on how long you have it.
Three kinds of AFib – paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent.
Reset the rhythm.
Prevent blood clots from forming.
Coumadin and the new agents.
6-Can a person be cured of AFib? Can it go away?
Antiaarrhythmic medications, cardio version.
Ablation can be a cure for some patients.
Catheter ablations minimal invasive.
Can use heat Radiofrequency energy or freeze cryotherapy.
Used to treat hot spots or abnormal cells.
This corrects the arrhythmia without the need of medication or implantable device.
Yesterday one of our patients came to see Dr. Dinesh Pubbi to have her pacemaker checked. Unfortunately the patient was unable to get out of the car and into our building. Dr. Pubbi with the help from several of our staff and one of our Boston Scientific reps – Jamie Kirkley, took our equipment out to the patient in her car. Talk about curb service! Thanks everyone for going the extra mile!
Thank you for visiting!
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Please contact us at 904-342-8300 to find out more about our practice or to schedule an appointment with any of our cardiologists.
We are pleased to announce that