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How long to wait for a Watchman?

Posted by bohaiboy @bohaiboy, May 31 2:01pm

Just had a PFA, feeling much better, but doc wants to install a watchman, which I am ok with, But for those that had a PFA, how long did you have to wait to have the Watchman installed? I have read 1-3 months but it seems they would need to use the same groin entry point. TIA. Also what have been your experiences with The Watchman?

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B lapier | @lapier | Jun 1 11:19am

I had a PFA and Watchman done at the same time in November 2025. Feeling great, no issues thus far, and off Eliquis!

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ginnyjm | @ginnyjm | Jun 2 8:12am

I had the PFA about a month before Watchman in 2024. Felt great ever since & no blood thinners!

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bohaiboy | @bohaiboy | Jun 2 1:55pm

So PFA was on Friday, last evening, my KARDIA device indicated Afib and it has indicated all morning today. I don't feel like I am in AFIB, however. I have read that this can occur for 3 weeks post-ablation, but of course it is worrisome. Has anyone else experienced this?

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gloaming | @gloaming | Jun 4 11:58am
In reply to @bohaiboy "So PFA was on Friday, last evening, my KARDIA device indicated Afib and it has indicated..." + (show)
Profile picture for bohaiboy @bohaiboy

So PFA was on Friday, last evening, my KARDIA device indicated Afib and it has indicated all morning today. I don't feel like I am in AFIB, however. I have read that this can occur for 3 weeks post-ablation, but of course it is worrisome. Has anyone else experienced this?

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@bohaiboy Some remnants of arrhythmia are common in the first two-five weeks after an ablation, and then they should taper off to zero...ideally. However, it isn't always cut 'n dried like that, not for every patient, and many go on to eventually have no AF after months. So, the blanking period of 10 weeks is meant to help most people to get over the healing and calming expected and to then have a great Holter monitor assessment. Again, doesn't always work that way. In fact, the literature says that experiencing a new AF series LATE in the blanking period suggests a poorer prognosis than if they happen EARLY in the blanking period. So far, you're in the early stages and should not worry unduly. Of course, if you have a high rate, and it is sustained for more than 24 hours, you should seek relief or correction in an ER, usually in the form of a metoprolol drip and a cardioversion. But your ER docs and your electrophysiologist won't know unless you squawk.

So, it's early...don't fret. Do go to an ER if your HR is higher than 100 BPM and doesn't stop on its own inside of 24 hrs.

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