Mon Medical Center is First in WV to Combine Two Advanced AFib Technologies into Single Procedure

Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center has become the first hospital in West Virginia to perform a single coordinated procedure using both the WATCHMAN FLX Pro and the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) systems from Boston Scientific, offering advanced stroke prevention and rhythm control for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).

This milestone treatment, which combined the use of two of the most advanced technologies available for AFib care, was performed by Salam Sbaity, MD, Electrophysiologist, and the expert team at the Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center.

AFib is a common heart rhythm disorder that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other complications. The dual approach used at Mon Medical Center provides a safer, more comprehensive option for patients—addressing both the irregular rhythm and the increased stroke risk in one minimally invasive procedure.

“These tools from Boston Scientific give us new precision and flexibility to tailor AFib care to each patient,” said Dr. Sbaity. “By using both technologies together, we’re able to reduce a patient’s stroke risk while also restoring normal rhythm—all in one procedure. This combined approach improves outcomes, reduces recovery time and avoids the need for multiple interventions.”

“This combined approach represents the future of AFib care,” said Bradford Warden, MD, Executive Director and Chief of Cardiology at Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center. “We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation, giving patients in West Virginia access to some of the most advanced cardiac treatments available anywhere in the country.”

The WATCHMAN FLX Pro is a small implant that seals off the left atrial appendage, where blood clots often form in patients with AFib. It helps prevent stroke and can eliminate the need for lifelong use of blood thinners. The latest model includes enhancements for safety, placement accuracy and healing.

The FARAPULSE PFA system uses targeted pulses of electrical energy—rather than heat or freezing—to correct the abnormal heart tissue responsible for AFib. This non-thermal method offers greater precision and reduces the risk of injury to surrounding structures like the esophagus.

“This milestone underscores our commitment to clinical excellence and advancing access to quality heart care across the region,” said David Goldberg, President and CEO of Mon Health System and Davis Health System – Vandalia Health Northern Region, and Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health. “By bringing breakthrough treatments like this to West Virginia, we’re not only improving outcomes but also reinforcing our mission to put patients first—always.”

Mon Medical Center was the first and remains the only hospital in the state to be accredited by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for electrophysiology. The hospital’s innovative use of advanced technologies reflects its commitment to investing in leading, patient-centered heart care. Mon Medical Center was also recently recognized by Healthgrades as a Five-Star Recipient for Pacemaker Procedures for 5 Years in a Row (2021–2025) and was redesignated by the ACC as a HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence.

For more information about heart rhythm treatment at Mon Health, visit www.MonHealth.com/Heart.