(STOCKTON, CA) February 25, 2025  – Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center (SJMC) has reached the milestone of completing its 200th WATCHMAN FLX™ case and 600th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. 

The WATCHMAN FLX device reduces the risk of stroke and is an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners for people with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) not caused by a heart valve problem, also known as nonvalvular AF. St. Joseph’s is the first hospital in San Joaquin County to offer the WATCHMAN FLX device. An estimated seven million Americans are affected by AF, and people with AF have a five times greater risk of stroke than those with normal heart rhythms. The WATCHMAN FLX device closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the bloodstream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced and, over time, patients may no longer need blood thinners. The enhanced technology of the WATCHMAN FLX helps treat patients safely and effectively to ensure the best long-term outcomes. 

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that focuses on replacing a thickened aortic valve that has difficulties fully opening, due to either aortic valve stenosis or aortic valve regurgitation, both of which cause reduced blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Individuals at risk for requiring a TAVR procedure include those with other health conditions, such as lung or kidney disease, high blood pressure, infections or injury to the heart, and those with congenital heart disease. Symptoms include but are not limited to heart murmur, chest pain, fainting and dizziness, and shortness of breath. The minimally invasive TAVR procedure has many benefits, such as closed valve replacements and minimal recovery time, in addition to being an option for many individuals who do not qualify for open surgery.

“We are incredibly honored to achieve these momentous milestones during American Heart Month,” says Tina Munoz, BSN, Director of the Morrissey Family Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Joseph’s. “Through the lifesaving procedure and technology, we are able to offer our patients the highest quality of care, while staying closer to home.”

St. Joseph's Cardiovascular Surgery Program has been ranked by Society of Thoracic Surgeons as the highest category for quality and successful outcomes in both coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) procedures. For more information on SJMC’s Morrissey Family Heart & Vascular Institute, please visit here, and to check your risk of heart disease, please visit here. For interview opportunities please contact Kellie Ryan Johnson at Kellie.RyanJohnson@CommonSpirit.org.

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About St. Joseph’s Medical Center

Dignity Health St. Joseph's Medical Center is a not-for-profit, fully accredited, regional hospital with 355 beds, a physician staff of over 700, and more than 2,700 employees. Specializing in cardiovascular care, comprehensive cancer services, and women and children's services, St. Joseph's is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved. As a Sponsoring Institution for Graduate Medical Education, St. Joseph’s supports rapidly growing educational programs for both resident physicians and medical students. In addition to being nationally recognized as a quality leader, St. Joseph's is consistently chosen as the "most preferred hospital" by local consumers. St. Joseph's is the largest hospital, as well as one of the largest private employers in San Joaquin County. Founded in 1899 by Fr. William O'Connor and administered by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, St. Joseph's continues to lead the region in medical innovation. St. Joseph's Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health/CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit Catholic health system with care sites across 21 states dedicated to advancing health for all people. For more information, please visit DignityHealth.org/Stockton.