L.A. Councilman Rosendahl to undergo surgery to address irregular heartbeat

Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl will undergo a surgical procedure Thursday to treat a condition stemming from an irregular heartbeat.

Rosendahl, who represents coastal neighborhoods stretching from Westchester to Pacific Palisades, said he will have a Watchman device inserted in his heart at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. The procedure is designed to help deal with atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm and a condition that can lead to strokes.

“I’m looking forward to this procedure and eager to get back to work as soon as I can,” said Rosendahl in a statement. He expects to resume his duties as early as next week.

Rosendahl said the Watchman procedure is undergoing clinical trials in the United States but is widely used in Europe. The device closes a section of the heart known as the left atrial appendage, which in turn keeps blood clots from entering the bloodstream. Blood clots increase the chances of a stroke.

The device is also seen as an alternative to blood-thinning medication, which can have side effects.

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-- David Zahniser at Los Angeles City Hall

Comments

[Hypatia]

Bill, good luck. We need you. You're one of the few real human beings in local (or any) politics.