New heart care technology at Munson Medical Center is helping reduce the risk of strokes for certain heart patients with atrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeats. Trials with the Watchman device show a marked decrease in disabling strokes for patients with atrial fibrillation when it is deployed. The small device is delivered through the vein in a leg to an appendage in the left atrium of the heart while the patient is under general anesthesia. The device seals off the appendage preventing any blood clots from forming. 

Munson Medical Center’s team has used the device in 12 patients and anticipates 50 to 75 patients a year could benefit from the device. Joe Batteiger, 72 of Traverse City became the first patient at Munson to receive the Watchman. He suffered a stroke in March 2014, and while in the hospital his atrial fibrillation was discovered. His cardiologist, Brian Jaffe, M.D., FACC, suggested he would be a good candidate for the device. Cardiac electrophysiologist Gregory Francisco, M.D., FACC, who helped implant the device, said it shows great promise for stroke-prone patients. “It’s equivalent to the standard of care for blood thinners,” he said. “We’d like to use it for patients who can’t take blood thinners.” Research shows that one third of all strokes are due to atrial fibrillation. Trials with the device show a marked decrease in disabling strokes for patients when it is deployed.