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.

saganjames | @saganjames | 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 had a successful mitral valve repair and an ablation 11 months ago. I had an annuloplasty ring installed as part of the valve repair. I also had a MitraClip installed, no Watcheman, to close my LAA. Four months later I wore a heart monitor for 30 days and as a result was taken off of Eliquis, immediately, no need. Now I only take 12.5mg metoprolol, 81mg aspirin, and 29% RDA magnesium supplement in the morning. Heart rate and BP all good. I exercise moderately and keep calories, sugar, and salt under control. I am a male and will be 79 next month. Hope this helps.

shoshin | @shoshin | Apr 20, 2023

Note: I have no direct experience with or even opinion about the Watchman (although I profess a stubborn bias against what seem to be widespread aggressive cardiological interventions; & I identify with what some term "medical conservatism;" see: https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(19)30167-6/fulltext).

But John Mandrola, EP cardiologist & chief cardiology editor for Medscape does--& here is one of his Medscape commentaries on clinical-investigative data gathered & analyzed about the Watchman & its comparative use: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/888355.

Stay safe & all the best!

jocelynk | @jocelynk | Apr 20, 2023

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

No my surgery is in a couple weeks and if I choose a metal valve, I’ll be on warfarin for life. Someone here had mentioned moving to Watchman so I asked questions

mbaisley | @mbaisley | Apr 20, 2023

I had an ablation for A-fib and my EP told me I’d be taking Eliquis for life.
He also told me that having an ablation is not a cure for A-fib and an episode could happen again hence the need for Eliquis.

I pay $30/month for Eliquis and my insurance picks up the rest.

MaryB

shoshin | @shoshin | Apr 21, 2023

In reply to @mbaisley "I had an ablation for A-fib and my EP told me I’d be taking Eliquis for..." + (show)

How refreshing: A frank & honest cardiologist!

fredster4 | @fredster4 | Apr 30, 2023

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @fredster4 These are good questions to ask your cardiologist at your next appointment. Sometimes there..." + (show)

The best word to describe my feeling is weird. Have developed strange aches and pains which my cardiologist says are not related. Some bruising. All tests are normal except for a very few AFib times. He wants to implant a device for further analysis before recommending the watchman. I am on Eliquis, plus Amiodarone was added on day two.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 30, 2023

In reply to @fredster4 "The best word to describe my feeling is weird. Have developed strange aches and pains which..." + (show)

Hello @fred03

I appreciate you keeping in touch.

What type of device is the cardiologist recommending prior to implanting the Watchman?

fredster4 | @fredster4 | Apr 30, 2023

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @fred03 I appreciate you keeping in touch. What type of device is the cardiologist recommending..." + (show)

He did not name it but indicated it goes into a small pocket in the chest and is used to determine if watchman is correct for me. I would think the previous week long Holder (?) monitor would do that. Test it again now that I am on eliquis?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 30, 2023

In reply to @fredster4 "He did not name it but indicated it goes into a small pocket in the chest..." + (show)

@fredster4

Perhaps someone else in the group is familiar with this device. You might want to contact the office, either through the patient portal or by phone to get some more information.

fredster4 | @fredster4 | May 2, 2023

In reply to @fredster4 "He did not name it but indicated it goes into a small pocket in the chest..." + (show)

The device is approximately 1/8” x 1” x 2” and sends a signal anytime I have an AFib beat. Used to verify need for watchman. He is now scheduling an ultrasound for my abdomin and is changing me at my request from $545 eliquis to $24 warfarin. I am concerned that additional tests are unnecessary since all other tests, except the Holder monitor have been normal.

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