The cardiology team at Carle Health Methodist Hospital recently marked a significant milestone: completing their 100th WATCHMAN™ procedure. This minimally invasive treatment is helping reduce stroke risk for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) who are unable to safely remain on long-term blood thinners.
“The WATCHMAN™ is an important tool for patients with AFib, a dangerous heart rhythm which can be responsible for stroke, and also for patients who have a high bleeding risk from anticoagulation,” Arvind Reddy Devanabanda, MD, interventional cardiologist at Carle Health Methodist Hospital, said.
As of December 2025, the team has now completed 124 procedures.
Acting as a sentinel, the device is implanted into the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA), where approximately 90 percent of stroke-causing clots form in AFib patients, to seal it off. “The WATCHMAN™ device protects against strokes by sealing off the heart’s main source of clots in AFib and thus offering a safe alternative to lifelong blood thinner use,” Dr. Devanabanda said.
“The WATCHMAN™ procedure is especially valuable for patients who have bleeding disorders, are prone to falls, work in high-risk environments, or cannot maintain therapeutic levels of anticoagulation,” Scott Wilson, APRN, valve clinic coordinator, Carle Health Methodist Cardiology, said. “It allows these individuals to reduce their stroke risk without the burden of lifelong medication.”
During the procedure, while the patient is under anesthesia, the provider will insert a catheter through a vein and guide it into the LAA. The WATCHMAN™ device, shaped like an umbrella, expands. After the procedure, the patient’s heart tissue grows over the device, permanently sealing off the LAA and forming a barrier to blood clots. Most patients go home the same day or within 24 hours, continuing blood thinners for about 45 days post-procedure.
Carle Health Greater Peoria is a regional leader in performing the WATCHMAN™ procedure. The program began in November 2022 and recently celebrated its 100th patient milestone.
Richard Anderson, 76, was the lucky 100th patient. “I’d been taking blood thinners for five years and had some pretty hefty bleeding episodes that required trips to the emergency room,” he said. “A friend of mine mentioned he had the WATCHMAN™ procedure and was very happy with it. Our family doctor got us in touch with Dr. Malebranche [Carle Health Methodist cardiologist], who, after running some tests, said I was a good candidate." Dr. Malebranche then referred Anderson to Dr. Devanabanda to perform the procedure.
Anderson checked in for the procedure at 9:30 a.m. and was home by 6 p.m. “I can't say enough about all the doctors and nurses and the whole staff. They were just wonderful.” He said he wasn’t aware he was the 100th patient until the nurses told his wife. “I said, ‘Good! I didn’t want to be the first!’”
Less than a month out from the procedure, Anderson said he feels great. “I feel like my heart is more efficient, if that makes sense. I’m already back to riding my recumbent trike on the trail 10 miles or more a day and will eventually wean off all blood thinners.”
Tina Broms, director of cardiovascular for Carle Health Greater Peoria, said, "Our continued mission is to provide exceptional care to our community members and their families, and this milestone highlights the incredible work our team members do every day to heal and uplift. This is a magnificent team made up of passionate and talented caregivers.”
“Every WATCHMAN™ we have implanted represents a life we have protected from stroke, and a patient who can live more freely without the burden of long-term blood thinners,” Dr. Devanabanda said. “We look forward to expanding access to advanced heart care therapies here at Carle Health for those who need them.”
Beyond WATCHMAN™, board certified interventional cardiologists throughout the Carle Health system can provide patients with a range of treatments for AFib and other cardiovascular disease.
For more information about WATCHMAN™ and other available treatment options, visit Carle.org.
“The WATCHMAN™ is an important tool for patients with AFib, a dangerous heart rhythm which can be responsible for stroke, and also for patients who have a high bleeding risk from anticoagulation,” Arvind Reddy Devanabanda, MD, interventional cardiologist at Carle Health Methodist Hospital, said.
As of December 2025, the team has now completed 124 procedures.
Acting as a sentinel, the device is implanted into the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA), where approximately 90 percent of stroke-causing clots form in AFib patients, to seal it off. “The WATCHMAN™ device protects against strokes by sealing off the heart’s main source of clots in AFib and thus offering a safe alternative to lifelong blood thinner use,” Dr. Devanabanda said.
“The WATCHMAN™ procedure is especially valuable for patients who have bleeding disorders, are prone to falls, work in high-risk environments, or cannot maintain therapeutic levels of anticoagulation,” Scott Wilson, APRN, valve clinic coordinator, Carle Health Methodist Cardiology, said. “It allows these individuals to reduce their stroke risk without the burden of lifelong medication.”
During the procedure, while the patient is under anesthesia, the provider will insert a catheter through a vein and guide it into the LAA. The WATCHMAN™ device, shaped like an umbrella, expands. After the procedure, the patient’s heart tissue grows over the device, permanently sealing off the LAA and forming a barrier to blood clots. Most patients go home the same day or within 24 hours, continuing blood thinners for about 45 days post-procedure.
Carle Health Greater Peoria is a regional leader in performing the WATCHMAN™ procedure. The program began in November 2022 and recently celebrated its 100th patient milestone.
Richard Anderson, 76, was the lucky 100th patient. “I’d been taking blood thinners for five years and had some pretty hefty bleeding episodes that required trips to the emergency room,” he said. “A friend of mine mentioned he had the WATCHMAN™ procedure and was very happy with it. Our family doctor got us in touch with Dr. Malebranche [Carle Health Methodist cardiologist], who, after running some tests, said I was a good candidate." Dr. Malebranche then referred Anderson to Dr. Devanabanda to perform the procedure.
Anderson checked in for the procedure at 9:30 a.m. and was home by 6 p.m. “I can't say enough about all the doctors and nurses and the whole staff. They were just wonderful.” He said he wasn’t aware he was the 100th patient until the nurses told his wife. “I said, ‘Good! I didn’t want to be the first!’”
Less than a month out from the procedure, Anderson said he feels great. “I feel like my heart is more efficient, if that makes sense. I’m already back to riding my recumbent trike on the trail 10 miles or more a day and will eventually wean off all blood thinners.”
Tina Broms, director of cardiovascular for Carle Health Greater Peoria, said, "Our continued mission is to provide exceptional care to our community members and their families, and this milestone highlights the incredible work our team members do every day to heal and uplift. This is a magnificent team made up of passionate and talented caregivers.”
“Every WATCHMAN™ we have implanted represents a life we have protected from stroke, and a patient who can live more freely without the burden of long-term blood thinners,” Dr. Devanabanda said. “We look forward to expanding access to advanced heart care therapies here at Carle Health for those who need them.”
Beyond WATCHMAN™, board certified interventional cardiologists throughout the Carle Health system can provide patients with a range of treatments for AFib and other cardiovascular disease.
For more information about WATCHMAN™ and other available treatment options, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Redefining Healthcare
Tags: AFib, Atrial, Cardiology, Clots, Fibrillation, Methodist, Procedure, Stroke, WATCHMAN™