Dr. Fawzia Al-Kandari, a cardiology consultant at Chest Diseases Hospital and head of the Cardiology Unit at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, confirmed that Chest Diseases Hospital is the first hospital outside the United States to use the new PRO technology for atrial appendage closure in the left atrium of the heart. This procedure had previously been exclusive to U.S. hospitals.

In a press statement, Dr. Al-Kandari explained that the purpose of the procedure is to protect patients from blood clots, particularly those who cannot take long-term anticoagulant medication or have experienced bleeding issues. The procedure involves closing the left atrial appendage to prevent clot formation.

Dr. Al-Kandari added that while this technology has been used in Kuwait since 2013, the new advancement in the device's design, which reduces clot formation risks and the need for multiple medications, is a major improvement. Instead of requiring multiple drugs like aspirin, patients can now use a single medication for several months, providing significant benefits.

She also mentioned that the hospital has recently performed three successful procedures using this technique on elderly patients, with the number of cases steadily increasing annually. Currently, around 70 cases are performed each year due to greater public awareness and quick referrals of patients with bleeding issues who cannot take anticoagulants.

Dr. Al-Kandari expects that the number of patients benefiting from this treatment will continue to rise due to the ease of device implantation and the reduced need for multiple medications.

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