Frye Regional Medical Center announced on Apr. 8 that it has completed more than 500 minimally invasive implant procedures aimed at reducing stroke risk for people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib).
The milestone highlights the hospital’s efforts to provide advanced cardiovascular care in the region. The procedure uses an FDA-approved device and is offered to carefully selected patients who are at increased risk of stroke but cannot tolerate long-term oral anticoagulation due to bleeding risks or other medical concerns. By sealing the left atrial appendage, a common site for blood clots in AFib patients, the implant helps lower stroke risk and allows many recipients to eventually stop taking blood thinners.
“Our focus has always been on expanding access to high-quality cardiovascular care,” said Lindy White, MBA, FABC, chief executive officer of Frye Regional Medical Center. “Reaching 500 procedures not only reflects the strength of our heart program but also reinforces Frye Regional’s role as a regional leader in heart care. It’s further proof that our community can count on us for advanced, patient-centered care close to home.”
Frye Regional was the first hospital in the Catawba Valley area to offer this implant when it introduced the option in 2022. The program is managed by a multidisciplinary team including electrophysiologists, cardiologists, imaging specialists and trained nursing staff focused on coordinated patient care. The center reported that its 500th procedure was performed by Dr. Ankur Tiwari, a board-certified cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist.
“For patients who meet FDA criteria and are not good candidates for long-term blood thinners, this procedure can be life changing,” said Dr. Tiwari. “Seeing patients benefit from this implant speaks volumes about its impact on stroke prevention and is incredibly meaningful for our team.”
The Frye Regional Heart Center provides additional cardiac services such as mitral and tricuspid valve repair as well as surgical aortic valve replacement among other interventions. As part of its affiliation with Duke Health Affiliate in Heart, staff have access to ongoing training related to current best practices in heart care.
