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Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?
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
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I had a Watchman implant put in two weeks ago. The surgery was an easy surgery. There are a few restriction after surgery for a week or two but not bad ones. I researched and talked with as many people as possible to find out all I could from people with experience/who had Watchman Implants and did not have one person say anything negative about it. I had the surgery with no reservations. Good luck!
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1 ReactionI just had the device implanted the 14th of November so i'm a newbie with it. I go back January 2nd for the follow up (TEE). Only thing ive noticed is a slight increase in my shortness of breath. I had that long before the procedure inasmuch as i smoked for 50 years but after a series of Pulmonary tests just two months ago, there was no sign of COPD.
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1 ReactionHad watchman implanted1 1/2 years ago. So glad no blood thinners other than baby aspirin. Short of breath but also smoked for 30 years. Think it's the atrial fib causing it.
Have you been told the A=Fib, post Watchman implant, might make shortness of breath a little more noticeable ?
No I was not told this. Is this something you were told?
I was not told this by my Cardiologist but, in doing some research, i read it somewhere that some shortness of breath might be noticed.
Ive been taking Warafin for about 2 years now and cost-wise, its much more affordable than Elequis or Xarelto. As mentioned in another post, the down side is the frequent blood check. But i had the Watchman device implanted on October 14th . I go back for the TEE January 2nd, 2020. Hopefully things will be good and i'll be able to come off Warafin . I've been told if things are ok, i'll go on one baby asprin daily and one plavix, daily.
Do you still have a Fib?
I do and its my understanding there is no "cure" to get rid of A-Fib. Its also my understanding that implanting the Watchman Device helps prevent strokes. Have you had or are you thinking about getting the Watchman ?
Watchman does not stop afib. Just prevents stroke without taking blood thinners other than a baby aspirin a day
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