Liège hospital first in Belgium to implant stroke-preventing prosthesis
The cardiology team at Citadelle Hospital in Liège has successfully implanted Belgium’s first prosthesis designed to prevent strokes. The hospital announced the achievement on Monday, two weeks after the operation.
Doctors implanted a Watchman FLX Pro 40mm prosthesis in a patient with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide. The device prevents strokes in AF patients for whom other treatments are unsuitable.
People with AF have an increased risk of developing blood clots and, consequently, strokes due to their irregular heartbeat. Until now, anticoagulants were typically prescribed to reduce this risk, though they are not always the most effective or appropriate solution. In such cases, it becomes essential to close the opening in the left atrium of the heart. “It protects the patient against the risk of stroke and allows them to stop taking anticoagulants,” explains Dr Pierre Troisfontaines, head of the cardiology department at Citadelle Hospital.
The previous prosthesis model was not suitable for all patients, but the new version can now be used by a wider group of people with the condition. “This advancement significantly expands our therapeutic options,” adds Dr Pierre-Hugues Leboutte. “We can now offer a safe and durable solution to patients who were previously not candidates for this procedure.”
© BELGA PHOTO LUC CLAESSEN
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