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.

obdoc2001 | @obdoc2001 | Jan 12, 2022
In reply to @phoenix1647 "I only take the 81mg asprin now. I have internal bleeding issues so my medical team..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

I only take the 81mg asprin now. I have internal bleeding issues so my medical team does not want me taking blood thinners and they were elated when I got off the Eliquis.

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What about the average person on Eliquis? Can they stop it after getting the Watchman?

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1 reply
hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Jan 12, 2022

I am looking into the watchman, is it similar to a pacemaker?

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1 reply
phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Jan 12, 2022
In reply to @obdoc2001 "Do you still have to take an anticoagulant?" + (show)
@obdoc2001

Do you still have to take an anticoagulant?

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I only take the 81mg asprin now. I have internal bleeding issues so my medical team does not want me taking blood thinners and they were elated when I got off the Eliquis.

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1 reply
obdoc2001 | @obdoc2001 | Jan 11, 2022

Do you still have to take an anticoagulant?

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1 reply
fiddlinchuck | @fiddlinchuck | Jan 11, 2022
In reply to @joann9 "Has anyone have adverse reaction to watchman" + (show)
@joann9

Has anyone have adverse reaction to watchman

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My Watchman Device was implanted just a month ago on December 7. While it is too soon to tell if I will have any longer term problems, thus far there have been no issues and I am very pleased with it. The surgical implant was smooth and uneventful. The worst part was the need to lie flat, motionless for 6 hours after the surgery ended. But no adverse reaction, it is mostly invisible to me, with no sensation at all that it is there.

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phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Jan 11, 2022
In reply to @joann9 "Has anyone have adverse reaction to watchman" + (show)
@joann9

Has anyone have adverse reaction to watchman

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I got my Watchman in June 2020 and have had no problems with it at all. The number of AFIB episodes has decreased but I do not know if that is because of the Watchman or not. No way of telling. I am very happy with mine.

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joann9 | @joann9 | Jan 10, 2022

Has anyone have adverse reaction to watchman

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2 replies
lewismustard | @lewismustard | Oct 5, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "I was to have a watchman device implanted on Dec 22.2020. The procedure was a failure..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

I was to have a watchman device implanted on Dec 22.2020. The procedure was a failure in that out of 3 devices, none would seal off the opening. Very disappointed in this. Surgeon said the rep from the makers told him they are coming out with newer devices that will be more flexable sometime in Feb, Mar, Apr timeframe. I am on the list to get one of those. The procedure itself was full of surprises for me. Please make sure you know what is going to happen in your procedure.

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What is it?

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hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Oct 4, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "I was to have a watchman device implanted on Dec 22.2020. The procedure was a failure..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

I was to have a watchman device implanted on Dec 22.2020. The procedure was a failure in that out of 3 devices, none would seal off the opening. Very disappointed in this. Surgeon said the rep from the makers told him they are coming out with newer devices that will be more flexable sometime in Feb, Mar, Apr timeframe. I am on the list to get one of those. The procedure itself was full of surprises for me. Please make sure you know what is going to happen in your procedure.

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This is what bothers me, the Watchman is fairly new, does it really work???

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twohearts | @twohearts | Sep 16, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @twohearts and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your post..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @twohearts and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your post to include you in an ongoing discussion about the watchman device so you can connect with members that in your same situation.

I thought you might be interested in a few articles about the Watchman as well:
Watchman in the Real World: Reports on Use in High-Risk Patients and Overall Safety: https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/watchman-in-the-real-world-reports-on-use-in-high-risk-patients-and-overall-safety/

The Efficacy and Safety of the WATCHMAN Device in LAA Occlusion in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation Contraindicated to Oral Anticoagulation: A Focused Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6300422/

Evaluating Real-World Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCEP.118.006841

Did you ask your doctor why he wants to switch your medication?

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Thank you so much for all the helpful links. It was so kind of you to help me out.

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