Photos: Southland surgeons implant Watchman heart device after it gets FDA approval

The Watchman device is inserted through a catheter in the groin area. It is used to seal off a pouch on the left side of the heart that is a major source of potentially deadly blood clots. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

March 23, 2015 6:46 PM PT

Surgeons at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles were the first in the United States to perform Watchman surgeries after the FDA approval.

Southland surgeons implant Watchman heart device after it gets FDA approval

Patient Mary Thomsen, 77, of Westwood interacts with Dr. Shephal Doshi before undergoing Watchman surgery at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. The Watchman device is designed to reduce the risk of stroke for people with irregular heartbeats. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Anesthesiologist Dr. Kenneth Sacks works on Watchman surgery patient Mary Thomsen at St. John’s Health Center. The device was approved March 13 by the FDA after years of trials, rejections and debate. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Shephal Doshi performed Thomsen’s procedure in less than one hour Monday morning. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Richard Wright keeps an eye on monitors at St. John’s Health Center. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Shephal Doshi, center, operates on Thomsen at St. John’s Health Center. He said he performed more than 200 Watchman surgeries during clinical testing. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Shephal Doshi, right, performs a Watchman surgery on a patient at St. John’s Health Center. Doshi said he expects to perform 15 to 20 Watchman procedures a week at St. John’s alone. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Shephal Doshi, right, works alongside Dr. Peter Pelikan during a Watchman surgery at St. John’s Health Center. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Peter Pelikan, left, and Dr. Shephal Doshi perform a Watchman surgery. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

A Watchman surgery is performed at St. John’s Health Center. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)