This permanent heart implant is the only FDA-approved device for the reduction of stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
January 20, 2021 – Westside Regional Medical Center made history this week as clinical cardiac electrophysiologist and the Director of the Electrophysiology Laboratory at Westside, Dr. David Kenigsberg, FHRS, performed the hospital’s first implant of the WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device on a patient with atrial fibrillation (AF). The minimally invasive Watchman FLX procedure took place on Monday, January 18, 2020, and only lasted approximately 30 minutes.
“I am excited about introducing a new procedure to the area and adding to the therapeutic armamentarium to treat our local population with atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Kenigsberg. “The Watchman FLX left atrial appendage occlusion device is the newest generation of devices proven to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot tolerate a blood thinner.”
The first recipient of this life-saving procedure at Westside was 88-year-old Donald Werne. Donald was the ideal patient for this procedure, as he suffers from AFIB and has a low tolerance to blood thinners.
“Prior to this procedure, I was constantly feeling weak and tired. I’m normally a pretty happy, upbeat person and I just didn’t feel like myself. When Dr. Kenigsberg consulted me about this procedure that would reduce my need for blood thinners, I knew I had to try it. I came to Westside because I love the doctors here and I know this hospital specializes is heart care,” explained Mr. Werne.
Westside Regional Medical Center is leading the way in advanced cardiovascular treatments by offering patients a multitude of treatment options for heart care. They have expert physicians in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, advanced heart failure and cardiovascular imaging, interventional cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology, cardiac anesthesia and structural heart. The 250-bed award winning hospital offers treatment options for patients with any heart valve disease too narrow (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation), heart vessel (Coronary Artery) blockage, previous heart valve surgery with prosthetic valve failure, intolerance to blood-thinning medications for atrial fibrillation, as well as congenital openings between the chambers of your heart.
“Dr. Kenigsberg and the team made me feel so comfortable and make sure to explain every step of the procedure clearly. The best thing was waking up post-op and being told that the procedure only took 30 minutes and that everything went very smoothly,” said Mr. Werne. “It’s only been a day and I’m already going home from the hospital feeling much better than I did before. I feel like myself again. I’d like to thank Dr. Kenigsberg and all of the staff at Westside Regional for giving me a chance at a better quality of life.”
The first thing Donald is looking forward to doing when he gets home is eating a delicious meal with his wife of over 62 years.
For more information on Westside Regional Medical Center’s cardiology services, please call (954) 370-5585 or visit https://westsideregional.com/specialties/structural-heart.
About Westside Regional Medical Center
Westside Regional Medical Center, an award-winning 250-bed hospital, is recognized for providing a wide array of services to the residents of Broward County, South Florida and visitors from around the world. We offer 24-hour comprehensive medical, surgical and diagnostic services, including oncology, cardiology and emergency care. Westside Regional also offers the community with the latest in minimally invasive spine and colorectal surgery and is one of only nine Joint Commission certified centers in the United States for minimally invasive colorectal surgery. Not only is Westside Regional certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA), but it also received its Thrombectomy Capable Center certification from the Joint Commission. Westside Regional Medical Center is also a teaching and research facility, offering Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in podiatry, surgery and internal medicine. For over 45 years, Westside Regional Medical Center has been committed to expanding and improving every facet of the organization, devoting significant time and resources to enhancing the facility, staff and medical care. Westside Regional Medical Center has an outstanding staff, which includes physicians, specialists and employees, all of whom place importance in making their patients feel welcome and comfortable.
For more information visit www.westsideregional.com or call 954-370-5585.
Westside Regional Medical Center is a facility of HCA East Florida. HCA East Florida is the largest healthcare system in Eastern Florida and an affiliate of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). HCA East Florida has 14 hospitals, multiple ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, and free standing emergency care facilities, as well as a supply chain center and an integrated regional lab. Together, HCA East Florida employs more than 18,000 employees and has nearly 7,000 physicians on staff. For more information, visit HCAEastFlorida.com.
HCA EAST FLORIDA
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center + Highlands Regional Medical Center + JFK Medical Center +
JFK Medical Center North Campus + Kendall Regional Medical Center + Lawnwood Regional Medical Center + Mercy Hospital + Northwest Medical Center + Palms West Hospital + Plantation General Hospital + Raulerson Hospital + St. Lucie Medical Center + University Hospital & Medical Center + Westside Regional Medical Center
