Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?

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?

My doctor said I will need the Watchman Device but I see a lot of negative information. I even read some believe there weren't enough studies done. This is my situation...So my Cardiologist got the report from my heart monitor that I had to wear for 2 weeks. They noticed I have PAC’s & PVC’s. Did not explain what that means. He wants to take me off Bisoprolol 10mg/ day & put me on Sotalol 80mg/day??? He’s the guy that wants to possibly do an ablation & told me not to go to the gym anymore because I’m working my heart too hard. PVS’s are premature ventricular contractions and PAS’s are premature atrial contractions, it’s not good. I am suppose do whatever he says. Your heart is basically tripping over itself trying to keep up. I am just wondering if the Watchman has been out lon enough to have better reviews?

I will be seeing the surgeon on Monday and be making the decision whether to have the watchman implanted or not.

POST WATCHMAN FLX TEE RESULTS

Here is the final report on my post watchman flx device TEE.

Study Result
REPORT TYPE: ECHOCARDIOGRAM DIS DATE: 06/28/21
DATE OF STUDY: 06/28/2021
INDICATIONS:
A 74-year-old male status post Watchman device with a history of GI bleeding.
The study is being performed in order to assess the status of the device itself.

PROCEDURE PERFORMED:
Transesophageal echocardiogram with color flow, and spectral Doppler imaging.

SEDATION:
Conscious sedation provided by anesthesia that was present in and around the
entire procedure without complication.

PROCEDURAL NOTE:
After informed consent, a bite block is administered. An Omniplane probe is
passed down into the stomach with retrograde pullback. The results of the study
are as follows:
1. Preserved left ventricular size and function with no segmental wall motion
abnormalities or masses noted. Estimated ejection fraction 60%.
2. Mitral valve leaflets are mildly thickened with normal motion. There was
mild to moderate mitral valve insufficiency with a central regurgitant jet.
3. Moderate left atrial enlargement with no thrombus identified.
4. Left atrial appendage is thrombosed. There is a Watchman device that has
been appropriately placed. There is no evidence of peri-Watchman leak noted in
multiple viewpoints.
5. Interatrial septum is somewhat difficult to see with no evidence of PFO
noted.
6. Right atrium of normal size.
7. Tricuspid valve structurally intact with mild insufficiency (tricuspid valve
hard to see).
8. Right ventricle of normal size and function.
9. Pulmonic valve structurally intact.
10. The aortic valve is trileaflet, mildly sclerotic with mild aortic valve
insufficiency.
11. No pericardial effusion.
12. Normal proximal aortic root.

SUMMARY:
1. Preserved left ventricular function.
2. Mild-to-moderate mitral valve insufficiency.
3. Status post Watchman procedure intact with no evidence of thrombus or
peri-Watchman leak.
4. No pericardial effusion

Thanks Colleen. It is great knowing everything went well. There were a lot of frustrating times during this process, but in the end, it was all worth it. I am so very thankful for this site. It has kept me going through the tough times. Lots of help from many people here.

Wishing you the best on your procedure. Please take your time in the healing process and don't push it too hard. Keep your fluid intake up and lots of rest. It was hard for me to do nothing. Now, I am back to my normal activities and feeling great. I hope your team is a good as mine was. It will seem a little frustrating at times, but it will happen. If you should need a little extra support or just need to rant a little bit..I am here. I will be happy to help if I can. Again, best of luck, try to not worry about the procedure too much.

Very glad to hear all went well this time, I am scheduled for the 28th of july for the watchman...I have great trust in my EP, he has been with me now for about 8 years. looking forward to getting it done and over with. be safe everyone. happy 4th of july to all.

Congratulations, Phoenix!!
@bbeebe1943 @starfirey2k @odaleberg and @galevin will surely be interested to hear your good news.

I bet you are relieved that the second surgery had a significantly better outcome than the first, and most importantly, that you persisted with your research, got your records, and made an informed decision with your team to try again. Kudos!

POST-WATCHMAN report. June 28th, I just had my post Watchman TEE. The results were excellent. The device made a perfect seal in the LAA. There was no sign of any leaking at all. The healing process was also rated as perfect. I am to continue on my Eliquis for another 2 months and then I can stop. The doctor was very happy with my results as was I. This has been a bit of a rough road for me for the last 3 years, but it has all paid off now. It was worth it.
Hats off to Dr Horton at TCAI, his entire staff and the hospital for all they have done for me. Wonderful people.
Can't rate the hospital food very high but the nurses were great.
I have had no problems with the Watchman so far.

My Watchman FLX procedure was a success!. They had no complications putting in the device. The EP said it went in much easier than he thought it was going to go. He is happy, so I am happy.
The only problem they had was closing the groin. Had some bleeding issues. They had to put in some kind of clip to get it to stop. This procedure was very painful.
During the Watchman procedure, they used both sides of the groin. They did not do the normal TEE but decided to use the echo thing through the left groin instead which was much better for me. No sore, raw throat!
Recovery went very well also. I must say I had a wonderful team of people taking care of me. The nurses were super!
my only complaint was the food. Normal hospital food.
I am now home with one very sore groin. No bleeding. So all in all, it went very well.
The one thing that sticks out for me is the total difference in the way they did things in the hospital. It was ttotlly diffferent than the first attempt. I was mentally prepared for how the procedure was to go and it was different. The second procedure went much better than the first. So, as usual, every hospital has it's own way of doing things.
So my next move is to consider doing the ablation. This decision will take some time to make.
Plesase, everyone, keep posting here of your procedures and issues. Your information helps many others make their decisions. No matter how little information you can add, it all adds up. Heart procedures are very serious, so let's all help each other get through them as well as we can. Thank everyone for your support during this time.