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.

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Apr 16, 2023

In reply to @fredster4 "I was recently told by my cardiologist that according to my heart monitor results that I..." + (show)

Hello @fredster4 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. To help you connect with other members more quickly, you will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion on Watchman Implants, which you can find here:
- Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/watchman-implant-for-a-fib/

Members such as @no1gaga @fdixon63 @kathe626 @elizabeth1941 @hopeful33250 @1943 @jimbotch @ronva2co @kidsincollege @odaleberg @phoenix1647 @fiddlinchuck and @debithejedi who can help answer your questions.

What are your main concerns about the device?

phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Apr 17, 2023

I have had my Watchman for two years now. I have had no problems with it at all. I am very happy I had mine put in and I would recommend it . I will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the Watchman procedure and what to expect. Knowing what I know now, I would do it again. I have no regrets. Good luck with your journey.

jocelynk | @jocelynk | Apr 17, 2023

In reply to @jwooders3 "I had a Watchman emplaced in January and they did esophageal echo scan in March and..." + (show)

How did you get off warfarin?

fredster4 | @fredster4 | Apr 17, 2023

In reply to @jocelynk "How did you get off warfarin?" + (show)

I hear so much good about Watchman that I wonder what the downside is. And why was I not put on it originally. Maybe they needed more data? I have now been on Eliquis for around a month and have a stress test next week followed by a summary meeting with my cardiologist.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 18, 2023

In reply to @fredster4 "I hear so much good about Watchman that I wonder what the downside is. And why..." + (show)

Hello @fredster4

These are good questions to ask your cardiologist at your next appointment. Sometimes there are protocols for certain procedures. A lot of the people who have Watchman devices implanted have had bleeding problems with Eliquis (or other blood thinners). If you begin to have bleeding problems, you should contact your doctor right away.

How are you feeling taking Eliquis?

koleke | @koleke | Apr 19, 2023

Thank you for this discussion! I am also an Afib patient but had an ablation a year ago and have not experienced any Afib episodes that I'm aware of. Going in for my annual check up I was told that I need to continue on blood thinners (I take Eliquis) for the rest of my life even though the Afib events have ceased for now. I was also offered the watchman and now am trying to decide. I'm 69 and otherwise healthy but am starting to bruise more than I used to. I would like to hear other's opinions. Thanks!

larryg333 | @larryg333 | Apr 19, 2023

@koleke -- Great news that the ablation eliminated your AF.

Surprised to hear that you've been told you need to be on the anticoagulant for the "rest of my life." WHY... if the AF remains at bay???

Do you have another med issue for which anticoagulation is recommended?

Continued good health!

/LarryG

koleke | @koleke | Apr 20, 2023

In reply to @larryg333 "@koleke -- Great news that the ablation eliminated your AF. Surprised to hear that you've been..." + (show)

No I have no other conditions. They seem to think that one unplanned Afib incident can cause a stroke and the doctor said, "then what?" Scary but I don't trust any of them. Thanks for your input.

JerryP | @jfperrone | Apr 20, 2023

In reply to @koleke "Thank you for this discussion! I am also an Afib patient but had an ablation a..." + (show)

I have a very close friend who had the watchman installed; no problem. He was told he now could stop taking Eliquis, which he did. A short while later he had a stroke. He is now back on Eliquis. He said "that was bad advice".

larryg333 | @larryg333 | Apr 20, 2023

In reply to @koleke "No I have no other conditions. They seem to think that one unplanned Afib incident can..." + (show)

@koleke -- Thanks for clarifying.

I would definitely re-visit the matter with my EP if I was you. Eliquis is expensive... plus if you don't have AF, there's no justifiable reason to continue it.

Personally, I would stop it... and continue monitoring my AF status regularly... several ways to do that. If the AF returns, then I'd restart anticoaglant.

All the best!

/LarryG

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