New Cath Lab, Major Milestone: Team Completes 300th Watchman Procedure
Milestone reflects hospital’s growing structural heart program and commitment to expanding access to advanced cardiac care in the heart of Los Angeles
Adventist Health White Memorial reached a significant cardiac care milestone on June 26, 2026, completing its 300th Watchman procedure — a minimally invasive treatment that can help reduce stroke risk for patients with atrial fibrillation, or AFib, who are not ideal candidates for long-term blood thinner therapy.
The procedure was performed in the hospital’s newly opened, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab, adding another layer of significance to the achievement and reflecting White Memorial’s continued investment in heart and vascular services for the communities it serves.
“This is an exciting and meaningful accomplishment for Adventist Health White Memorial, our cardiology team and, most importantly, the patients who depend on us for life-changing care,” said Daniel Fontoura, president of Adventist Health White Memorial. “Reaching 300 Watchman procedures reflects the expertise and dedication of our structural heart team, as well as our commitment to making highly specialized cardiac treatments more accessible to underserved communities.”
The Watchman is a small, parachute-shaped device designed to close off the left atrial appendage, a small pouch in the upper chamber of the heart where blood clots commonly form in people with AFib. If a clot leaves the heart and travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.
Blood-thinning medications are often used to reduce stroke risk in patients with AFib. However, some patients face an increased risk of bleeding or other complications from long-term blood thinner use. For eligible patients, the Watchman device may offer an alternative by helping to prevent clot formation in the left atrial appendage.
The procedure is performed through a catheter inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and guided to the heart using advanced imaging. Once in place, the device seals off the left atrial appendage, reducing one of the most common sources of stroke-causing clots in patients with AFib.
The 300th procedure was performed by Dr. Eric Bansal, medical director of Adventist Health White Memorial’s structural heart program. The growing volume reflects the continued development of the structural heart program, a key priority as White Memorial expands access to treatments often associated with major regional or academic cardiology centers.
“Structural heart care requires the right combination of technology, imaging, procedural expertise and team coordination,” said Dr. Bansal. “This achievement shows that Adventist Health White Memorial has built a strong foundation for providing advanced therapies safely and effectively, while continuing to expand what we can offer our patients.”
The milestone comes as Adventist Health White Memorial begins a new chapter for cardiac care with the opening of its new cardiac catheterization lab, which became operational in June 2026. The lab enhances the hospital’s ability to provide advanced imaging, improved procedural efficiency, expanded interventional cardiology capacity, structural heart procedures, electrophysiology support, and vascular procedures while reducing radiation exposure and keeping staff and patients safer.
Developed over five years and made possible through $3 million in philanthropic support from the Adventist Health White Memorial Foundation, the opening of the new Cath Lab marks an important step in the continued growth of the hospital’s heart and vascular programs. The project reflects the coordinated efforts of hospital leaders, physicians, clinical teams, facilities and construction partners, and Adventist Health stakeholders who helped bring this advancement from vision to reality.
“Our new Cath Lab is much more than a facility upgrade — it is an investment in access, clinical excellence, and the future of cardiac care for our community,” Fontoura said. “Our patients deserve access to the same advanced treatment options available at leading academic centers across the region, and we are proud to continue building those capabilities here at White Memorial.”
As Adventist Health White Memorial continues to grow its structural heart program, hospital leaders say the focus remains on pairing advanced technology with the mission-driven, whole-person care that has long defined the hospital’s role in East Los Angeles.
“Our goal is to give patients access to the right treatment at the right time, without unnecessary delays or barriers,” said Dr. Bansal. “The Watchman program is one example of how we are expanding cardiac care at Adventist Health White Memorial, and the new Cath Lab gives us an even stronger platform to continue growing these services.”
