Partnering for Better Health: How Wellness Coaches Help Clients Achieve Lasting Change

Posted on by Michael Chananie

We all want to live healthier, happier lives. Whether that means losing weight, starting an exercise program, getting more sleep, or reducing stress, we strive every day to improve our health and to look and feel our best.

For help, many people turn to the $10 billion self-improvement market, which is awash in quick fixes. Self-help books, fitness websites, and weight-loss apps all promise to help meet our goals. Unfortunately, most of us fail to stick with these programs, and any progress proves to be fleeting.

So how can we get more for our money and efforts? Enter the Wellness Coach. Wellness coaches are trained professionals who work closely with clients to help them initiate and sustain change. Coaches use face-to-face meetings and a series of conversations to help clients identify goals, explore motivations, and consider potential obstacles. Together, the coach and client develop a personalized picture of success called a “wellness vision,” along with a plan to achieve it. “We go below the surface and unearth any negative beliefs or thoughts that could get in the way” of success, says Nina Spiegel, wellness coach at the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health. The work is actually fun, says Nina. “We’re creating a new possibility at any given age.”

Once a long-term objective has been identified, the coach helps the client reach it by creating an action plan, a series of short-term goals that help change habits gradually and incorporate new behaviors for the long term. Weekly face-to-face meetings keep the client accountable, provide an opportunity to review progress, discuss any challenges that may have been encountered, and make adjustments to help the client stay on track.

A wellness coach considers all aspects of health — physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual. This holistic approach, and the close working relationship between coach and client (something that online programs and apps lack) help ensure success and create lifelong change. According to a recent Mayo Clinic study, wellness coaching provided lasting improvement in all aspects of quality of life as well as reduced depressive symptoms and stress levels in study participants.

A Life-Changing Partnership

Sharon Danzger, 53, a productivity consultant and performance coach from Tenafly, says working with a wellness coach changed her life. “Thanks to her guidance, I lost over 50 pounds and I’ve kept it off,” she says.

Sharon had dieted all her life, losing weight, then regaining it over and over again. When she met with Nina Spiegel, the wellness coach from the Graf Center, Sharon made it clear she had sworn off diets. This worked well since Nina, a holistic nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and weight loss specialist, never prescribes them.

Rather than devising a diet for Sharon, detailing forbidden foods and calorie restrictions, Nina helped her focus on making small behavioral changes and better food choices throughout the day.

Nina also worked to identify triggers that led Sharon astray. A devoted swimmer, Sharon swims two miles—about one hour—most days. After her workout, she’d arrive home famished and eat whatever was at hand—often food that was loaded with empty calories. To combat cravings and break this defeating cycle, Nina suggested Sharon leave a protein bar in her gym locker. This way she could take a bite right after her workout, fighting any urge to overindulge. Nina also gave her ideas for a high protein, low calorie breakfast that helped fight hunger throughout the day.

Sharon says these simple changes have helped her maintain her 51-pound weight loss for over a year. Nina “was able to identify small changes for me to make that actually had a really big impact,” says Sharon. “I found that I had somebody on this journey with me who cared about my success and was also invested in it.” To this day, Sharon continues to check in with Nina, which helps her stay on track.

Those interested in partnering with a wellness coach can now find one at the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine. Wellness Coaching at the Graf Center is tailored to your unique goals and needs. When and how long you meet with your coach is determined by your scheduling needs and what you hope to accomplish.

Fee

$100 for initial 90-minute session. Follow-up sessions are $55 for 30 minutes (6 for $300) or $80 for 60 minutes (6 for $420). To help clients achieve their goals, it is recommended that they use all six sessions within 60 days.

Posted April 2019

American Society of Clinical Oncology Appoints Two Englewood Health Cancer Center Leaders to their Expert Panel

Posted on by Michael Chananie

April 25, 2019 — The American Society of Clinical Oncology recently appointed Englewood Health’s Steven T. Brower, MD, medical director of The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center and chief of surgical oncology, and Minaxi P. Jhawer, MD, chief of hematology and oncology, to participate in a panel focused on developing guidelines for systemic therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer.

As members of the Expert Panel, Dr. Brower and Dr. Jhawer are tasked with drafting and executing a systematic review, and developing treatment recommendations.

ASCO selected Drs. Brower and Jhawer for the significant contributions they would be able to make in shaping guidelines to impact not only local patients, but also patients around the world. Physicians involved in the multidisciplinary care of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) review and follow these guidelines for their care of this complex population of patients.

Minaxi P. Jhawer, MD
Minaxi P. Jhawer, MD

“Over the past six years there have been six new drugs approved for use in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma,” said Dr. Jhawer. “Up until a decade ago we had only one active drug. It’s a tremendous honor and opportunity to be involved in writing the guidelines, which will impact the way we care for this special population of HCC patients who require detailed multidisciplinary care to get the best outcomes.”

Dr. Jhawer is also a national-peer-nominated member of the ASCO Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee, a group of 30 physicians from around the world. This multi-disciplinary panel of physicians provides evidence-based recommendations for treatment of patients with cancer, and serves as a guide for doctors around the world to utilize in their daily practice and care of cancer patients.

Steven Brower, MD
Steven Brower, MD

“We are delighted to be part of the panel and formulate guidelines with the ASCO’s experts in an effort to standardize the treatment and outcome pathways for individuals at risk for HCC,” said Dr. Brower.

The panel will participate in teleconferences to discuss development and application of the guideline.

First in New Jersey: Englewood Health Neurosurgeon Uses Fluorescence Technology to ‘Light Up’ Tumor Cells

Posted on by Michael Chananie

April 25, 2019 — Englewood Health is the first hospital in New Jersey to use a novel fluorescent technology that makes brain cancer cells “light up” when viewed through a special microscope. The innovative optical imaging agent—called Gleolan™—enables surgeons to see and remove malignant glioma cells remaining in brain tissue during surgery, while also avoiding parts of the brain responsible for vital functions such as speech and movement.

Kevin Yao, MD
Kevin Yao, MD

“This is game-changing technology for glioma surgery,” explained Kevin Yao, MD, the Englewood Health neurosurgeon who performed the first procedure in early March. He removed a four-centimeter malignant glioma from a woman in her 70s who was experiencing headaches and confusion and had noticed changes in her speech prior to receiving her diagnosis.

High-grade gliomas are highly challenging brain cancers to treat successfully and are not always operable. The tumor often comes back after treatment. So techniques that permit the surgeon to remove as much tumor tissue as possible could enhance a patient’s outcome.

Gleolan is a medication called aminolevulinic acid HCl. The patient drinks the medication two to four hours before receiving anesthesia for the surgery. During the operation, the neurosurgeon views the brain through special blue light filters on a surgical microscope. Under this blue light, Gleolan helps tumor cells to “fluoresce,” glowing a red-violet color. The medication is designed to make cancerous brain cells glow, but not noncancerous cells. Gleolan was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2017 for use during surgery for high-grade gliomas, and is commercially available to all patients.

During the procedure at Englewood Health, Dr. Yao removed the tumor tissue he could see with the naked eye. He then viewed the area through the microscope and could see that there were cancer cells remaining, and was able to remove those as well. “It was empowering because I could actually see the tumor cells and was able to remove more during surgery than I would have been able to without this technology,” he noted.

The technique adds to the arsenal of tools that surgeons use to “map” the location of a brain tumor. Current techniques provide a rough idea of a tumor’s location. However, brain anatomy can change during an operation as the tumor is removed and tissue shifts. Intraoperative MRI is also used to map brain tumor location, but it is costly and resource-intensive, requiring all equipment in the operating room to be MRI-compatible. Unlike existing brain mapping techniques, Gleolan provides real-time information showing exactly where glioma cells are lurking in the brain.

Dr. Yao added that Gleolan, combined with functional imaging and testing, showed him that the patient’s tumor tissue was near, but not in, areas of her brain responsible for speech. “Every extra millimeter of tissue that I remove can improve her survival, but can also dramatically affect her speech. Gleolan allowed me to maximally and safely remove the tumor,” he explained. “I think this approach is going to change the standard of care for glioma surgery.”

Englewood Health Appoints Adam Arnofsky, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Posted on by Michael Chananie

April 23, 2019 — Englewood Health has appointed Adam G. Arnofsky, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery. A member of the hospital’s medical staff, Dr. Arnofsky has been director of cardiac surgery services since 2009. He has served as acting chief since last year’s retirement of Englewood Health’s longtime chief of cardiothoracic surgery, James Klein, MD.

“Dr. Arnofsky is an outstanding surgeon and leader, who will advance our cardiothoracic surgery program into the future,” says Stephen Brunnquell, MD, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. “Under his leadership, we will continue to focus on serving our community through enhanced access and continuity of care, the availability of advanced medical technology, and continuous improvement of quality and patient safety.”

Dr. Arnofsky is recognized for his clinical expertise and his contributions to the growth of Englewood Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute. Among his many achievements, he was instrumental in planning Englewood Health’s hybrid operating room and co-led the development of Englewood’s highly successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) program, now in its seventh year and one of the leading programs in the region. TAVR is a minimally invasive approach to treating patients with aortic stenosis who are at high or intermediate risk for open heart surgery. Dr. Arnofsky has also served on the hospital’s medical staff executive committee.

“Dr. Arnofsky has been key to the successful growth of our cardiac surgery program and the broader Heart and Vascular Institute,” says James McGinty, MD, chief of surgery and surgical services at Englewood Health. “In recent years, some 500 patients a year have chosen Englewood Health for heart surgery, thanks to the high-quality, innovative care provided by Dr. Arnofsky and his colleagues. Among fellow surgeons, Dr. Arnofsky is known for his skill in performing complex procedures, as well as re-operative heart surgery. He is also an expert in bloodless cardiothoracic surgery.”

“I’m proud that patients in our community can count on the cardiothoracic surgery team at Englewood Health, no matter how complex their disease,” says Dr. Arnofsky. “It is an honor to be entrusted with the task of leading this important service, now in its 20th year, as we continue to provide the latest technology and surgical techniques for patients with heart disease, to improve and save lives.”

Dr. Arnofsky received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He did his general surgery residency and cardiothoracic surgery residency at New York University Hospital and obtained additional training in endovascular aortic surgery at the University Medical Center Utrecht, in Utrecht, the Netherlands. He is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and has been selected as a top doctor by Bergen Magazine and Castle Connolly Top Doctors.

Englewood Health Physician Network Opens Multispecialty Practice in Cliffside Park

Posted on by Michael Chananie

 

April 10, 2019 — Last week the Englewood Health Physician Network marked the grand opening of its first multispecialty practice, bringing primary care and specialty care to residents of Cliffside Park and the neighboring community. Englewood Health Physician Network – Cliffside Park offers both primary care and a broad range of commonly accessed specialists to patients in one convenient location. The new practice located at 695 Anderson Avenue, part of the Towne Centre in Cliffside Park, is now accepting patients.

“Our goal is to provide primary care and multispecialty care in the same place for the benefit of our patients,” says Stephen Brunnquell, MD, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. “Now when a physician sees a patient and their condition requires a referral to a specialist, the physician can make that immediate connection and maybe even an introduction. It’s ultimately better for patient care.”

In addition to internal medicine and family medicine, many common specialties are available at Englewood Health Physician Network – Cliffside Park, including cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonary medicine, and gastroenterology.  Other services, including infectious disease, orthopedics, and rheumatology, will be coming soon.

Selected because of its accessibility by both car and public transportation, the 6,000-square-foot facility, located inside the Towne Centre, includes 12 exam rooms, all new lab and imaging equipment, and modern, well-appointed physician consult offices. Cliffside Park Mayor Thomas Calabrese and council members, along with other town officials and hospital leadership, were present for last week’s ribbon cutting and grand opening.

At Englewood Health Physician Network – Cliffside Park, patients can access primary care for acute, chronic, and routine medical care, school or occupational physicals, immunizations, and travel medicine, as well as onsite testing such as laboratory and imaging studies, EKGs, stress testing, and pulmonary function tests. In the near future, the practice will offer extended hours including early morning and evening hours, as well as Saturday appointments.

“This is equally about convenience and improving patient care,” says Dr. Brunnquell. “Patients are more likely to follow through when the office is familiar to them. Because the specialists are co-located with their primary care physicians, it’s easy. They already know the staff, the building, and the parking. It feels familiar and, therefore, more comfortable. It’s very reassuring for patients.”

By choosing a doctor who is a member of the Englewood Health Physician Network, patients benefit from a shared electronic health record system, which helps improve timely communication between physicians, as well as between physicians and Englewood Hospital. With this medical record system, doctors can access all of their patients’ medical information, read other specialists’ notes, see prior imaging studies and laboratory results, and communicate electronically with other providers throughout the network.

“Our research indicated that Cliffside Park was in need of greater availability of primary care,” says Dr. Brunnquell. “More than ever, convenience is important to patients, and primary and specialty care need to be available where patients can access it. The addition of Englewood Health Physician Network – Cliffside Park is one more way we are meeting the needs of our community.”

Ask the Doctor: Dr. Thomas Bernik

Posted on by Michael Chananie
Thomas Bernik, MD, is chief of vascular surgery at Englewood Health and part of the Englewood Health Physician Network. Doctors use the term “vascular system” to refer to the many roadways of arteries and veins that carry blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body. When the flow through these vessels is interrupted, the body cannot function properly. If you have been diagnosed with a vascular malfunction, such as hardening of the arteries, it may be time to consult with a vascular surgeon. Englewood Health has distinguished itself as a leader in the field of vascular surgery; in fact, Healthgrades® recently named the hospital one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for vascular surgery. Among the vascular surgery services we offer is a new procedure called transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), which is used to treat severe carotid artery disease. Englewood is one of the first hospitals in the region to offer TCAR. We recently sat down with Thomas Bernik, MD, chief of vascular surgery at Englewood Health, to learn more.

What exactly is TCAR?

Dr. Bernik: TCAR is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small cut is made just above the collar bone to directly access the blocked carotid artery. This cut is much smaller than those made in other common procedures to remove carotid artery blockages or plaque. During TCAR, a tube inserted into the artery temporarily reverses the blood flow. This causes any plaque that may come off during the procedure to flow away from the brain, preventing possible stroke. The blood is then filtered outside the body and returned to the body via a tube inserted into the upper leg. Finally, a stent is placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, minimizing the risk of future stroke.

Who is a good candidate for TCAR?

Dr. Bernik: The procedure is particularly well suited for patients who are at high risk of complications from conventional carotid surgery because of age, anatomy, or other medical conditions. This safer approach can lead to better outcomes and faster recovery for such patients.

What are some of the other vascular conditions you treat at Englewood Health?

Dr. Bernik: Vascular surgery at Englewood Health encompasses two categories: arterial disease and venous disease. The most common arterial disease we treat is peripheral vascular disease, which affects the legs and can lead to pain and an inability to walk or stand, and if left untreated, could lead to gangrene and limb loss. Treatment for the legs can be a stent, laser therapy, or atherectomy, which is the insertion of a Roto-Rooter-type device. We can also perform a bypass, similar to that done in the heart. We also treat abdominal and thoracic aneurysms as well as thoracic dissections. Aneurysms occur when the blood vessel wall becomes weak and bulges out. An aneurysm can be fatal, especially if it bursts. The venous conditions we treat include deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and spider veins anywhere in the legs and body. We also specialize in the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE). PE usually develops from a clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis). The clot dislodges from the venous wall and travels to the lung, where it can prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs and heart. If a clot is large enough, it can be life threatening. Posted April 2019

Englewood Hospital Participates in Landmark Global Trial Reducing Major Infections in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Procedures

Posted on by Michael Chananie

April 1, 2019 — Englewood Hospital recently took part in a landmark clinical trial. The trial assessed the capability of a novel, fully absorbable, single-use antibacterial envelope to reduce infections associated with the cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) it holds, and found positive results.

The World-wide Randomized Antibiotic Envelope Infection Prevention Trial (WRAP-IT) is the largest, randomized, global, prospective, multicenter, single-blinded, post-market, interventional trial ever conducted with CIEDs. It compared the incidence of major infections in patients whose CIED implantation included the TYRX envelope and patients whose procedure did not. Patients in the trial, sponsored by Medtronic, were followed for a minimum of 12 months.

Meeting its primary objective, WRAP-IT demonstrated that the Medtronic TYRX™ Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope reduced the risk of major infection by 40 percent, and pocket infection by 61 percent, in patients at increased risk for infections receiving CIEDs, compared to standard-of-care pre-operative antibiotic therapy. The average cost of a CIED infection in the United States ranges from $44,000–$83,000.

The trial also met its safety objective: the envelope did not increase the risk of procedure-related or system-related complications through 12 months. Englewood Hospital enrolled 38 patients between 2015 and 2017.

Grant Simons, MD“The reduced risk of infection is invaluable to patients undergoing CIED procedures,” said Grant Simons, MD, chief of heart rhythm services at Englewood Health. “Englewood Hospital’s participation in the trial helped generate strong clinical data showing that the use of the TYRX envelope can translate to shorter hospital stays and decreased necessity for post-operative antibiotic treatment.”

Millions of people with life-threatening heart conditions opt for a CIED, such as a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device, to help manage abnormal heart rhythms. Constructed from a multifilament, knitted absorbable mesh, the TYRX envelope is designed to stabilize these devices while releasing antimicrobial agents over a minimum of seven days, and is fully absorbed by the body approximately nine weeks after implantation.

As with any surgical procedure, there is risk for infection due to bacteria being introduced at the time of implant. Infections associated with these heart device implants are rare, occurring in 1–4 percent of all CIED patients and about 3 percent of high-risk patients. But the consequences can be devastating, including prolonged hospitalization, device removal and treatment with systemic antibiotics, and increased risk of dying.

Bacterial infection is one of the most common causes of CIED complications. While infection typically occurs in the first 90 days, bacteria introduced during the implant can lay dormant in the subcutaneous pocket that holds the device and can cause a delayed infection six months or more after implantation.

WRAP-IT was conducted in 181 centers in 25 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and South America, and included 776 implanting physicians. A total of 7,075 patients were enrolled from January 2015 through July 2017: 6,983 patients were randomized, with 3,495 receiving the TYRX envelope, and 3,488 randomized to the control group (without the envelope).

The trial results were recently presented in a late-breaking session at the American College of Cardiology‘s 68th Annual Scientific Sessions this month and published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The TYRX envelope was cleared by the FDA in 2013 and received CE Mark in 2014.

Englewood Hospital Receives National Reaccreditation in Bariatric Surgery

Posted on by Michael Chananie

MBSAQIP bariatric surgery accreditationMarch 27, 2019 — Patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and related conditions have access to a nationally accredited program meeting the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care in the North Jersey area.

James McGinty, MDJames McGinty, MD, chief of surgery at Englewood Health, specializing in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, recently announced its bariatric surgery program received reaccreditation as a distinguished three-year Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

This reaccreditation reinforces Englewood Hospital’s commitment to providing and supporting quality improvement and patient safety efforts for metabolic and bariatric surgery patients. The MBSAQIP Standards ensure that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program—not just a surgical procedure—which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for their severely obese patients.

Englewood Health’s commitment to quality care begins with appropriately trained staff and the leadership of surgeons who participate in meetings throughout the year to review its outcomes. They seek continuous improvement to enhance the structure, process, and outcomes of the center. Englewood Hospital was specifically recognized this year for its excellent leadership, strong hospital support, culture for doing bariatric surgery, and state-of-the-art facilities.

“I am proud to be a part of Englewood Health and this team of caregivers who really provide world-class care to patients suffering with obesity,” Dr. McGinty said. “This achievement is largely due to the leadership and support of the bariatric surgery team.”

To earn the MBSAQIP designation, Englewood Hospital met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure, and protocols for care. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its processes and outcomes, identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvement.

After submitting an application, centers seeking MBSAQIP Accreditation undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon, who reviews the center’s structure, process, and clinical outcomes data. Centers are awarded a specific designation depending on how many patients they serve annually, the type of procedures they provide, and whether they provide care for patients under age 18.

In the United States, around 15.5 million people suffer from severe obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health, and the numbers continue to increase. Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, among other health risks.

Metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures have proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to severe obesity. Working with ASMBS, the ACS expanded this quality program for bariatric surgery centers so that it can assist bariatric patients in identifying those centers that provide optimal surgical care.

Ask the Doctor: Dr. Samuel Bae

Posted on by Michael Chananie
Samuel Bae, MD, is a gastroenterologist at Englewood Health Physician Network – The Park Medical Group. Discussing the goings-on of your bathroom routine with anyone can be uncomfortable. That’s why when it comes to illnesses and diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract and liver, patients sometimes hold off on seeing a doctor until the issue becomes bothersome or unavoidable. But speaking openly with your doctor about your gastrointestinal system is crucially important. We sat down with Samuel Bae, MD, a gastroenterologist, to learn more about worrisome symptoms and common diseases of the GI system.

What are the most common symptoms that prompt patients to seek the help of a gastroenterologist?

Dr. Bae: I see many patients complain of heartburn and reflux. These symptoms are caused by a number of reasons, often poor diet and lifestyle. As you gain weight you become more likely to develop heartburn and reflux, which are major risk factors for esophageal cancer—so this is something to take seriously. I also see patients with bowel irregularities like diarrhea and constipation. If we can rule out major issues, these symptoms typically resolve with simple lifestyle changes. Many young men visit me saying they are bleeding during bowel movements. The culprit in this scenario is often spending too much time on the toilet with an electronic or mobile device. I tell them the recommended toilet time is 3-5 minutes.

As a GI doctor, what conditions or diseases do you spend the most time treating?

Dr. Bae: I treat the standard gamut of GI ailments: reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and bowel irregularities. I completed my training at Memorial Sloan Kettering, so I also focus on cancer prevention. Chronic heartburn and reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can lead to esophageal cancer—so instead of taking an antacid, those experiencing GERD should seek medical attention. Colon cancer is now the second leading cancer killer in the United States; it’s also one of the most treatable cancers. During a colonoscopy we are often able to remove the cancer-causing polyps and cure the patient right then and there. Unfortunately, in many cases, colon cancer does not cause any physical symptoms, which is why I always recommend a colonoscopy beginning at age 50 for those at average risk.

Are colonoscopies as uncomfortable as they are made out to be?

Dr. Bae: Today’s colonoscopies are very different from those of the past. I remember when a colonoscopy meant days of liquid fasting, a gallon of preparation material and an enema as a chaser. Today, our prep material is much smaller, split over several days, and we only require a half day or so of fasting. With the sedation we use now, and the fact that the procedure is very quick, most patients can’t believe that the procedure was already performed when they wake up. Posted March 2019

Englewood Health Among First in Region to Implant 100th WATCHMAN Device

Posted on by Michael Chananie

March 13, 2019 – Englewood Health is among the first hospitals in North Jersey to complete its 100th implant of the lifesaving WATCHMAN device, which reduces the risk of blood clots, stroke, and death in patients with irregular heartbeat without long-term blood-thinning medications.

For patients on blood thinners—which is most patients with atrial fibrillation—something as simple as a fall or as major as a car accident could cause harmful, even fatal, internal bleeding. The WATCHMAN device allows patients to stop taking these medications and return to active lifestyles with less fear and fewer changes.

Grant Simons, MD“Patients who can’t tolerate blood thinners are really in a tough situation because they need blood thinners to prevent stroke, but if they take blood thinners they have bleeding complications,” said Grant Simons, MD, chief of heart rhythm services at Englewood Health. “For those with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are seeking an alternative to warfarin, the WATCHMAN implant offers a potentially life-changing stroke-risk treatment option, which could free them from the challenges of long-term warfarin therapy.”

In a clinical trial, nine out of 10 people were able to stop taking warfarin in 45 days after the WATCHMAN procedure.

The size of a quarter, the WATCHMAN device fits into the left atrial appendage (LAA), where 90% of stroke-causing blood clots that originate in the heart are formed. The implant permanently closes off this part of the heart to keep those blood clots from escaping, entering the blood stream, and traveling to the brain, lungs, and other parts of the body.

The WATCHMAN implant, performed via a catheter inserted in the groin, is a one-time procedure that lasts about an hour, followed by an overnight hospital stay with most patients leaving the next day.

Candidates for the device include patients who have atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve problems, are able to take short-term blood-thinning medications after the procedure, and are poor candidates for long-term blood-thinning medications.

Atrial fibrillation is a common condition affecting more than five million people in the United States. It causes blood to pool in the LAA, sometimes leading to the formation of clots that can break loose and travel up to the brain, potentially causing a stroke. In fact, people with atrial fibrillation have five times the risk of stroke than compared to those with a regular heartbeat.

The WATCHMAN device has been implanted in more than 10,000 patients and is approved in more than 70 countries around the world. Manufactured by Boston Scientific Corporation, the WATCHMAN implant was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015. Englewood Health had performed northern New Jersey’s first implant during the second phase of its national clinical trial back in 2012. Englewood Health’s 100th WATCHMAN procedure came at the close of American Heart month this year.

“We continue to be at the forefront of available technologies,” said Dr. Simons. “This is a relatively new procedure that we were able to introduce to the medical community and deliver to our patients through a high-volume, high-quality program developed safely in a short amount of time.”