Rosendahl Gets Good News from Heart Doc, Shares on Facebook

took to his Facebook page Saturday to let his  friends know he is doing extremely well following his recent surgical procedure.

"What a wonderful way to start the weekend," he posted on his Facebook status. "The doctor took me off blood thinners on Friday and Dr. [Shephal] Doshi said everything looked great!"

The 11th District representative was in January to treat atrial fibrillation and was fitted with a Watchman: a  thumb-sized medical device shaped like a tiny umbrella.

Rosendahl has suffered from atrial fibrillation - an abnormal heart rhythm that causes blood clots and can lead to a stroke -  for several years. The Watchman is designed to reduce the possibilty of a stroke by trapping blood clots before they enter the blood stream.

Rosendahl had his first checkup since undergoing the procedure on Friday. According to a statement released by Rosendahl's office, Dr. Doshi reported that "everything looked great. Bill is a poster child for the procedure."

Prior the procedure, Rosendahl was being treated with a blood-thinning medication called warfarin, which can cause unpleasant side effects such as bruising and bleeding.

The Watchman procedure, which is used widely in Europe, Asia and Australia, is undergoing a clinical trial in the United States as an alternative treatment to warfarin. Rosendahl qualified for the procedure last month.

Rosendahl was seen back at one of his usual haunts - The Mar Vista Farmers' Market - shortly after the procedure.

Dr. Shepal Doshi is on staff at Pacific Heart Institute in Santa Monica.