Watchman experiences and results

I know of several who had a Watchman implanted. I have not seen any problems reported except that occasionally they have not sealed off completely and that there is leaking through them into and out of the left atrial appendage (LAA). If that is determined, usually via a trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE) at about the six month mark, and perhaps again at the 12 month mark, then it is deemed to have been a failed attempt at sealing off the LAA . The patient would normally be advised to continue with anti-platelet medication like Rivaroxaban or Apixaban (Xarelto or Eliquis) for life. For those where the TEE shows a sealed and non-leaking Watchman, the patient may be able to cease taking an anti-coagulant if there are no other significant risk factors for stroke. Age, vascular disease, diabetes, COPD....conditions like that might lead the consulting physician to strongly recommend remaining on a DOAC (direct-acting oral anti-coagulant).

Thank you for the insight.Idon't know the percentage of failures but my Doctor tells me it is less than 1%.
Appreciate your response.

I'm a 78 yr female who had the Watchman implanted last year. It was a complete success, no leaks. I am off all blood thinners except aspirin 81mg per day. Just had a 6 mo check up and doc said I'm good for 9 mo. No afib or palpitations. Feeling good!!!

Thank you for your reply. I almost lost my life to the drug Eliquis and this was recommended to me by my cardiologist. Thank you again this is really refreshing to hear.

Hello @alyon917,

I combined your discussion with another discussion titled:

"Watchman experiences and results"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/watchman-2/

@abob started this discussion with a question very similar to yours and @ginnyjm, @lanieg and @oumike shared their experiences and similar questions and may have some new insight to share with you.

@alyon917 - have you already been determined as a candidate for this procedure and are wanting to get more experiences before you proceed? Has your provider had a chance to talk pros and cons with you? If you are comfortable sharing, what are you most concerned about with this procedure if you choose to go down that path?

Could you expand at all about what you mean about almost losing your life to Eliquis? I expect you know that Rx is supposed to help with saving lives admittedly potentially with many complications. Would be helpful to know more about the risks per he situation you experienced. Thanks for sharing your experience as well.

I hesitate to respond for this person, especially if he/she replies soon, but my guess is that she/he had a severe bleed that was made so much worse by the serum levels of apixaban. There is an antidote for apixaban, but I don't know how widely available it is. In any event, a blood replacement transfusion should add a lot of platelet capacity to a patient if it can be done in time.

I was in hospital for Pneumonia when some doctors decided my blood pressure was low.
Without any discussion at all with me or my cardiologist who happens to be a a doctor at the same hospital, they did not even disclose the name of the drug.
I was sent home 2-3 days later. While sitting on the couch at home the main artery in my colon burst rapidly losing blood. The paramedics got to my house quickly and I was taken to the hospital 20 miles away. After I arrived the staff were desperately tying to reverse the Eliquis drug. After IV's and 13iu's of blood they sent me to another hospital for a 3 hour operation to stop the bleeding. I am astonished that these doctors were uneducated about the downside of this drug. (they need to read the Eliquis section in the Mayo clinic's forums)
Through their own admittance, I nearly lost my life. Thoroughly grill your doctor before taking this drug. (this drug is not for everyone) I almost feel that theit standard is if it works fine, if it doesn't and you nearly die,(sorry)

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question ... your posts are always so informative.

@alyon917 : I do not read anywhere that Eliquis would be given to a person with low blood pressure. Sounds like a medical mistake to me if the situation is what you describe. Perhaps what happened to you was not caused by Eliquis, but could have been made worse by it possibly. I think your experience is not what most people would experience. My husband has been taking Eliquis for about 5 years with no issues whatever.