Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?

Posted by Tresjur @tresjur, Oct 5, 2017

I've been living with A-Fib for close to 20 years now. I took warfarin for 14 of those years and then switched to Pradaxa. After being on Pradaxa for 8 months, I started having GI bleeds and over the course of 14 months I had 8 blood transfusions. After ending up with a hemogloblin count of 5 and
an INR of 9, I ended up in ICU. After my release, and lengthy discussions with my cardiologist, we decided that my body could no longer tolerate the
blood thinners. For three years I went without any A-fib treatment and a year ago I started taking a full dose aspirin daily.

Early this summer I saw the TV ads for the Watchman, for people who cannot take blood thinners. It's an jellyfish looking implant that is inserted in the
left atrial appendage of the heart. After implantation, heart tissue will grow over the device and provide blockage of clots that could travel to the brain.
I had the implantation done on September 13th, which requires an overnight stay in the hospital, and will be on Eliquis and an aspirin for about 45 days, then I will just take an aspirin daily for the rest of my life.

From reading the pros and cons of this device, it is my understanding that it does not work any better than blood thinners, but is an option for those who
cannot take the thinners. My first visit with the electrophysiologist is 2 weeks from today and at the end of October, I will undergo another TEE to determine
if all is working well.

I lived the 3 plus years not being on blood thinners with the though of stroke in the back of my mind. Even though I realize that nothing is 100% guaranteed or successful, I do have some relief now that I am again under treatment.

I'm posting this experience and wondering if anyone else has undergone this procedure and may be further along in their journey. It has been only 22 days
since my implant. I'm doing well so far and have not had a problem with the Eliquis so far.

Regards,
Mary

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

mannism | @mannism | Mar 4, 2024

I had The Amulet implanted on February 13 and am looking forward to no blood thinners in my future. Eliquis is an allergen for me. The dose was reduced last year to no avail and I had 15 side effects before this procedure affecting my skin, my eyes and my GI system. My EP cardiologist worked on The Watchman when it was introduced and was able to find the proper device for me. The Amulet was a better fit for my anatomy. Until it is confirmed that the device is healed, I am taking Plavix and aspirin. I have chronic AFib, thanks to a PCP who gave me an overdose of pure T4.

daphne17 | @daphne17 | Mar 7, 2024

The Watchman has been recommended to me. I had a GI bleed last year with hemoglobin of 6 and I required a blood transfusion. The goal is to get off blood thinners like you say.
My concern is having to take aspirin after the implant. I always thought aspirin was a blood thinner and have stayed away from it for years. However, the last Electrophysiologist I saw told me that it is safer than Eliquis so if I have another GI bleeding episode, I will probably go ahead with the procedure. Any thoughts on this?

John | @johnnoregon | Mar 8, 2024

My Watchman was inserted on Nov 22. I've had no issues whatsoever. I can't take thinners. I had a thinner-induced stroke in 2020, so thinners are out for me. I've had chronic Afib since 2002. I have enough confidence now to feel that clot risk has fallen to acceptable levels via the Watchman.

dave778 | @dave778 | Dec 7 6:21pm

In reply to @phoenix1647 "I had a heart cath in 2004. This one was way different. During the watchman procedure,..." + (show)

@phoenix1647

I had a heart cath in 2004. This one was way different. During the watchman procedure, you will also get a TEE at the start. On my pre-procedure TEE, done weeks before, it was simple and easy. So, I was expecting basicly the same TEE procedure and the same heart cath like before. Not so. For the actual watchman implant procedure it went like this: First. you are prepped for the procedure room. This consists of an IV line put in, a 12 lead monitor hooked up then you get the entire pubic area shaved. I was expecting to be shaved only on one side. Next, you are taken to the procedure room. I was expecting maybe 4 people in there. Turns out there were I think 8 people. The nurses will start slapping a lot of very cold tabs on your chest, in addition the the 12 you got in the prep room. Your arms and feet will be tied down so you can't move. I did not expect that. I have issues having my limbs immobile. Then they will remove your gown and you will be completed naked. I have very strong modesty issues and that upset me a bit. Then you will start getting ananstesia. and you will go out. Once you are out they will do the TEE and watchman procedure. You will wake up on the recovery room. I had severe shakes from being so cold. Took a while for me to warm up. You will have to lay flat on your back for at least 3 hours. Then you get moved to the ward. The nurses should come around at least once an hour to check your incision. For me and I speak only for me, the anastesia had the side effect of causing multiple erections. This for me was very embarrassing when the nurses had to see that area. I also had urine retention which I was not prepared for. They did not put in a urine cath for the procedure. My research shows a urine cath is not usually used in a surgery lasting less than 3 hours. When you are in the recovery room they may give you a dry sandwich to eat. Your throat will be raw and sore from the TEE and getting dry bread down will be difficult. I could not eat mine. Your option.
I think if I had known more about the actual procedure and the anastesia side effects I would have been better prepared mentally. I could not find very much useful information about the watchman procedure online. What little is there is not well written and leaves a lot out.
After surgery you will be told to not lift anything over 10 pounds for at least a week. Since my procedure failed, I was not put on blood thinners at all. If yours is successful, you will be on blood thinners for a while.

Hope this helps

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@phoenix1647 It is a felony to violate a modesty without permission! Demand same sex providers. And change your consent forms to same. NCSBN Page 33 definition of sexual assault.

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