Geisinger physicians investigating safety of new stroke prevention device
Feb. 6, 2007, DANVILLE - A new stroke prevention device for people with irregular heartbeats is being tested by a team of Geisinger Health System researchers during a five year clinical trial.
Principal investigator Kimberly A. Skelding, MD and investigators James Blankenship, MD, and Randle Storm, MD, are examining the safety and effectiveness of the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage System.
About 2.2 million Americans have what’s known as atrial fibrillation, where two of the heart’s chambers quiver instead of beating effectively. That means blood doesn’t get pumped completely out of the chambers, which increases the threat of a clot and stroke.
The WATCHMAN device is aimed at keeping dangerously sized blood clots that form in the heart’s left atrial appendage from entering a person’s bloodstream. It is inserted into the patient during a minimally invasive procedure.
The Geisinger team will examine what happens to device-receiving patients compared to similar patients who use the blood-thinning medication Coumadin (or warfarin).
About 50 research teams from across the country are part of this clinical trial. Geisinger is the only group selected in northern Pennsylvania and one of just four in the entire state.
“We were chosen to participate in this trial because of our commitment to high quality care here at Geisinger,” Skelding said. “This is recognizing the skills of our cardiologists and our research abilities.”
About Geisinger Health System
Geisinger Health System is one of the nation's leading fully integrated healthcare providers. Founded in 1915, Geisinger serves more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania. The physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger includes three major regional medical centers, a 650-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company, and the Geisinger Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
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