1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

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.

elizabeth1941 | @elizabeth1941 | Jun 15, 2019
In reply to @1943 "I have the watchman implant. Almost a year now. All I take is a baby aspirin..." + (show)
@1943

I have the watchman implant. Almost a year now. All I take is a baby aspirin a day. Glad to be off blood thinners after two major bleeds

Jump to this post

Thank you good to know this

REPLY
kathe626 | @kathe626 | Jun 15, 2019
In reply to @elizabeth1941 "Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP..." + (show)
@elizabeth1941

Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP suggested I might want to have one instead of taking blood thinner

Jump to this post

I received one July 2018. I am very happy with it. I had a high Chad score and had been on blood thinners for 6 years. I am so happy to be off them. I still bruise but they Now eventually go away. I am 82 and very active, biking, swimming, tennis And gardening so being able to take Alive is great. Only small downside TEE (one to go) and heartburn from the ASA. I highly recommend. Kathe

REPLY
1 reply
elizabeth1941 | @elizabeth1941 | Jun 15, 2019
In reply to @kathe626 "I received one July 2018. I am very happy with it. I had a high Chad..." + (show)
@kathe626

I received one July 2018. I am very happy with it. I had a high Chad score and had been on blood thinners for 6 years. I am so happy to be off them. I still bruise but they Now eventually go away. I am 82 and very active, biking, swimming, tennis And gardening so being able to take Alive is great. Only small downside TEE (one to go) and heartburn from the ASA. I highly recommend. Kathe

Jump to this post

Thank you for the reply. You sound amazing because you are so active. Good for you. I don't know what TEE is or ASA,

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 15, 2019
In reply to @elizabeth1941 "Thank you for the reply. You sound amazing because you are so active. Good for you...." + (show)
@elizabeth1941

Thank you for the reply. You sound amazing because you are so active. Good for you. I don't know what TEE is or ASA,

Jump to this post

Hi @elizabeth1941

I noticed your question about what a TEE is, so I thought I would jump in here with an answer. TEE stands for a transesophageal echocardiogram. It produces a more accurate picture of the heart than a traditional echocardiogram because it looks at the heart from the inside.
Here is a description of the procedure from Mayo Clinic's website:

Transesophageal echocardiogram
If your doctor wants more-detailed images or it's difficult to get a clear picture of your heart with a standard echocardiogram, your doctor may recommend a transesophageal echocardiogram.

In this procedure:

Your throat will be numbed, and you'll be given medications to help you relax.
A flexible tube containing a transducer is guided down your throat and into the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach (esophagus).
The transducer records the sound wave echoes from your heart.
A computer converts the echoes into detailed moving images of your heart, which your doctor can view on a monitor.

I've had several of these, @elizabeth1941 and they are really an easy procedure. You are given light anesthesia and when you wake up there is little to no discomfort, except for a very minor sore throat.

REPLY
1 reply
elizabeth1941 | @elizabeth1941 | Jun 15, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @elizabeth1941 I noticed your question about what a TEE is, so I thought I would..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi @elizabeth1941

I noticed your question about what a TEE is, so I thought I would jump in here with an answer. TEE stands for a transesophageal echocardiogram. It produces a more accurate picture of the heart than a traditional echocardiogram because it looks at the heart from the inside.
Here is a description of the procedure from Mayo Clinic's website:

Transesophageal echocardiogram
If your doctor wants more-detailed images or it's difficult to get a clear picture of your heart with a standard echocardiogram, your doctor may recommend a transesophageal echocardiogram.

In this procedure:

Your throat will be numbed, and you'll be given medications to help you relax.
A flexible tube containing a transducer is guided down your throat and into the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach (esophagus).
The transducer records the sound wave echoes from your heart.
A computer converts the echoes into detailed moving images of your heart, which your doctor can view on a monitor.

I've had several of these, @elizabeth1941 and they are really an easy procedure. You are given light anesthesia and when you wake up there is little to no discomfort, except for a very minor sore throat.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for the information. much appreciated

REPLY
kathe626 | @kathe626 | Jun 15, 2019
In reply to @elizabeth1941 "Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP..." + (show)
@elizabeth1941

Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP suggested I might want to have one instead of taking blood thinner

Jump to this post

TEE IS Transesophegal electrogram3 required at 2 months, 6 months and 1 year. They are done to make sure all is OK. ASA is a full strength Asparin taken daily for the rest of your life. Kathe

REPLY
elizabeth1941 | @elizabeth1941 | Jun 15, 2019
In reply to @elizabeth1941 "Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP..." + (show)
@elizabeth1941

Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP suggested I might want to have one instead of taking blood thinner

Jump to this post

Kathe, Thank you for the info

REPLY
elizabeth1941 | @elizabeth1941 | Jun 15, 2019

Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP suggested I might want to have one instead of taking blood thinner

REPLY
4 replies
kathe626 | @kathe626 | Aug 29, 2019
In reply to @kidsincollege "I have AFib and STV and have had two heart Ablations. I'm on Solatol and Eliquis...." + (show)
@kidsincollege

<p>I have AFib and STV and have had two heart Ablations. I'm on Solatol and Eliquis. Last month I was hospitalized for low blood pressure due to blood lose. I had to have 4 units of blood transfusion. They never determined what caused me to have the blood lose. My doctor is a cardiac electrophysiologist and has now scheduled me to have a Watchman device implant surgery early next month. She says this is necessary due to my high risk of having a stroke. It may help me to be able to eventually lower or get off the blood thinners. I would appreciate anyone that has had this procedure to give me any input on their experience of the procedure and post surgery. Good health to all! Thank you!</p>

Jump to this post

I had the Watchman implanted last July mainly due to intolerance to xaralto and AFib. The surgery was very easy, overnight stay. Best part was getting off the blood thinner. I was on Plavix for 6 months. Then ASA for additional 6 months. Now 1 year later just mini ASA. Very happy with the results. You do have 3 TEE to make sure everything is OK - but it is a nothing. Good luck. Kathe

REPLY
1 reply
ltssjs | @ltssjs | Aug 29, 2019
In reply to @kathe626 "I had the Watchman implanted last July mainly due to intolerance to xaralto and AFib. The..." + (show)
@kathe626

I had the Watchman implanted last July mainly due to intolerance to xaralto and AFib. The surgery was very easy, overnight stay. Best part was getting off the blood thinner. I was on Plavix for 6 months. Then ASA for additional 6 months. Now 1 year later just mini ASA. Very happy with the results. You do have 3 TEE to make sure everything is OK - but it is a nothing. Good luck. Kathe

Jump to this post

What is a 3 TEE?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.