SAVAHCS Reaches 100th WATCHMAN Implant, Leading VA System in First-Year Procedures
By Orlando Ford, Public Affairs Specialist
Recently, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) reached a major clinical milestone, completing its 100th WATCHMAN implant less than two years after launching the program.
This significant milestone puts the SAVAHCS as one of the nation’s highest‑performing VA sites for the procedure during its first year.
The WATCHMAN device is designed for Veterans with atrial fibrillation who cannot safely remain on long‑term blood thinners. Dr. Ji Eun Park, Structural Interventional Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at SAVAHCS, said the achievement reflects not only clinical expertise but also a coordinated effort across the medical center.
“We were actually the highest WATCHMAN‑implanting VA in the country in our first year,” Park said. “That really speaks to the teamwork here, from ICU and PACU nurses to anesthesiologists, imagers, radiologists, and administration. Everyone was aligned in getting this program off the ground to meet a real need in our Veteran community.”
Why the Program Has Grown Quickly
According to Park, Southern Arizona’s large population of older Veterans, winter visitors, and retirees creates a significant need for alternatives to blood‑thinner therapy. Many Veterans with atrial fibrillation struggle with medication‑related bleeding, falls, or other risks that make long‑term anticoagulation unsafe.
“The WATCHMAN gives them the same stroke‑risk reduction without the ongoing worry of being on a blood thinner,” she said. “For a lot of Veterans, that is life‑changing.”
SAVAHCS’ ability to move Veterans efficiently through evaluation and scheduling has also helped the program expand rapidly. “If they want the procedure and they qualify, we are able to get them taken care of in a timely way,” Park said.
Improving Quality of Life
Park said the most important benefit she has seen is the relief Veterans feel once they no longer need blood thinners.
“People who have had bleeding issues, or who are prone to falls, don’t have to fear the complications that come with these medications,” she said. “It gives them peace of mind.”
Veterans who receive a WATCHMAN implant typically follow up at one week and six weeks, with an additional CT scan around one year. During that period, the device becomes lined with the patient’s own cells, permanently sealing off the left atrial appendage where most AFib‑related clots form.
A Look Ahead: Expanding Heart-Care Innovation
"Reaching 100 implants is only the beginning," Park said. “As more Veterans live longer and the demand for AFib treatment rises, SAVAHCS plans to continue expanding its structural heart program.”
In addition to the WATCHMAN, SAVAHCS has begun offering the Amulet device. Another FDA‑approved option for closing the heart’s left atrial appendage provides alternatives for Veterans whose anatomy may not be a good fit for the WATCHMAN design.
“We now offer both commercially available devices,” Park said. “That’s a big step forward. As these technologies evolve, this kind of care is only going to become more widespread.”
Park encouraged Veterans interested in learning more to start by speaking with their primary care provider or cardiologist.
“Even if they’re not sure whether they qualify, their providers know how to reach us,” she said.
Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.