Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center first in WV to reach 1,000 WATCHMAN procedures

Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center has become the first hospital in West Virginia to complete 1,000 WATCHMAN procedures, marking a major milestone in stroke prevention and leadership in treating patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Cardiologists Wissam Gharib, MD, FACC, FSCAI; Robert Hull, MD; and Samantha Crites, DO, MS, FASE, FACC; were the first to perform WATCHMAN procedures in West Virginia in March 2016. The program was later established at Mon Medical Center in March 2018, where it has continued to grow and evolve. Mon Medical Center is now the first hospital in the state to reach 1,000 procedures, reflecting sustained growth and expertise in this advanced therapy.

Today, the WATCHMAN program is supported by a highly experienced, multidisciplinary team. Implanting physicians include Dr. Gharib, Salam Sbaity, MD, and Matthew Gaskill, DO, with advanced cardiac imaging specialists Richard L. Smith, MD, and Dr. Crites. This collaborative, team-based approach combines advanced imaging with minimally invasive techniques to ensure precise device placement and optimal outcomes.

The WATCHMAN device is a minimally invasive, one-time implant designed to reduce stroke risk in patients with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem. The device closes off the left atrial appendage — a small pouch in the heart where blood clots commonly form — helping prevent those clots from entering the bloodstream and causing a stroke.

AFib affects millions of Americans and increases stroke risk by up to five times. While blood thinners are often the standard treatment, they can carry long-term risks and lifestyle limitations. The WATCHMAN procedure offers an alternative by permanently sealing off the area where most stroke-causing clots originate.

“Reaching 1,000 WATCHMAN procedures is a significant milestone for our program and reflects the experience and coordination our team has built over the past decade,” Dr. Gharib said. “It also speaks to the trust patients place in us to provide safe, effective stroke prevention close to home.”

The WATCHMAN device is implanted through a catheter inserted in the leg and guided to the heart, avoiding the need for open surgery. The procedure typically takes about an hour, and most patients return home the next day.

“This milestone represents years of collaboration and innovation,” Dr. Crites said. “The coordination between our imaging specialists and implanting physicians allows us to combine advanced imaging with minimally invasive techniques to deliver precise, highly effective and individualized treatment that can reduce stroke risk and, for many patients, eliminate the need for long-term blood thinners.”

Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center has been a leader in WATCHMAN technology, and the program continues to evolve with the adoption of next-generation WATCHMAN devices and advanced imaging techniques that allow for precise, minimally invasive device placement and improved patient outcomes.

Building on its innovative approach to AFib care, Mon Medical Center became the first in West Virginia to perform a single, coordinated procedure combining the WATCHMAN FLX Pro device with the FARAPULSE pulsed field ablation system. The procedure, first performed at Mon Medical Center by Dr. Sbaity in May 2025, allows physicians to address both stroke risk and abnormal heart rhythm in one minimally invasive treatment.

The WATCHMAN program is part of the comprehensive services offered through the Vandalia Health Mon Heart & Vascular Center, which is nationally recognized for excellence in cardiovascular care. The center has earned the American College of Cardiology’s HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence and was the first hospital in West Virginia to receive electrophysiology accreditation, reflecting its commitment to quality, innovation and patient outcomes.