After two complications with internal bleeding due to blood thinners, Evelyn Sharpe could no longer take the medication intended to reduce her risk of stroke. Evelyn is one of three million people across the country diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (Afib) – a heart condition where the upper chamber of the heart beats too fast and irregularly. People with Afib have a five times greater risk of stroke. Afib patients are often prescribed blood-thinning medication to prevent blood clots, but for Evelyn, this was no longer an option.
“My brother had a stroke and I was concerned it could happen to me,” explained Evelyn. “Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be a good alternative to the blood thinners.” But, when Evelyn met with her cardiologist, B. Clay Sizemore, MD, FACC, FSCAI, he had a new treatment option to share with her.
“Dr. Sizemore mentioned there was a new procedure being done at Tallahassee Memorial and I may be a good candidate,” said Evelyn. “So he referred me to the Electrophysiology Program at TMH.”
Evelyn met with Farhat Khairallah, MD, FACC, FHRS, in Thomasville, Ga. at the Physician Partners, Cardiac & Internal Medicine Specialists, Services Provided by Southern Medical Group, PA clinic. After a series of tests, it was confirmed that Evelyn was a candidate for the new procedure to place a special device in her heart known as WATCHMAN.
For people with Afib, a specific part of the heart called the left atrial appendage is the most common source of stroke-causing blood clots. The WATCHMAN device closes off the appendage and prevents clots from entering the blood stream, in turn, reducing the risk of stroke.
The Tallahassee Memorial Heart & Vascular Center was the first program in the Southeast, and third in the country, to commercially place the WATCHMAN device. Dr. Khairallah and interventional cardiologist Wayne Batchelor, MD, MHS, FACC, FSCAI, perform the minimally invasive procedure together in the cardiac catheterization lab.
“At TMH, we have been expanding our heart treatment options to bring the most advanced procedures possible to our patients,” explained Dr. Khairallah. “Patients do not need to leave Tallahassee for excellent heart care. In fact, patients across the Southeast now travel to TMH to receive innovative and state-of-the-art treatments,” added Dr. Batchelor.
Evelyn was one of the first patients at TMH to receive the WATCHMAN device. Forty-five days after her WATCHMAN procedure, Dr. Khairallah confirmed that Evelyn’s left atrial appendage was successfully closed.
“I have energy again and can’t wait to rejoin my fitness group,” said Evelyn. “Before the procedure, going to the grocery store was a chore and I often lost my balance. Now, I am walking more and enjoying life.”
