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← Return to Any Ablation Success Stories?
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Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Aug 27 7:11pm | Replies (52)
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I am having an ablation in 2 weeks because of AFIB. Amiodarone would control but the side effects were worse than the AFIB. My EP suggested The Watchman after the ablation When I told him I did not want to take any drug for the rest of my life. Any thoughts?
Replies to "I am having an ablation in 2 weeks because of AFIB. Amiodarone would control but the..."
I’m 77 years old with a-fib, was taking metoprolol & Eliquis, have mild cerebral palsy so am a fall risk. My cardiologist suggested an ablation & then a Watchman. I had the ablation 7/2024 & the Watchman 8/2024. Both were outpatient for me & I haven’t had a-fib since! I’m still on metoprolol, but off blood thinner.
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If the Watchman seals properly, and it almost always does (if installed correctly), it does a good job of sealing off the LAA. If so, with a confirmatory TEE at about six months, then you and the EP may agree to forego the DOAC. However, you might be wise, especially if older, to consider the full benefits of a DOAC. If you sit a lot, say at a computer or watching TV, you're older than 65 or so, depending on your overall condition, or you have one or more other comorbidities, you might be wiser to stay on a DOAC. Something to discuss at length with your EP or family doctor.