Crouse Health is the first hospital in Central New York to use the WATCHMAN™n device, a minimally invasive implant approved by the FDA as an alternative to long-term blood thinner therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder. Studies have shown that the Watchman offers patients with AFib (not related to heart valve disease) as much protection from stroke as blood thinners, such as warfarin. Crouse Medical Practice cardiologist Joseph Battaglia, MD, Crouse Health Chief of Cardiology and Director of the Miron Cardiac Care Center, explains the device and how it works. Dr. Battaglia, along with colleagues Kwabena Boahene, MD, and Matthew Gorman, MD, are the first in Syracuse to implant the Watchman in AFib patients.
