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

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cturner01 | @cturner01 | Feb 15, 2021
In reply to @rkuz "I had afib. Tried 2 ablations. After the 2nd it got worse. I had it 24/7...." + (show)
@rkuz

I had afib. Tried 2 ablations. After the 2nd it got worse. I had it 24/7. Went to Cleveland clinic. I am now on Tikosyn for 2 years and no longer suffer with it. Good luck

Jump to this post

That’s wonderful! So this drug caused your heart to go back into sinus rhythm? I have it 24/7 for about 8 months now. ☹️

REPLY
rkuz | @rkuz | Feb 15, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "Welcome to the group. I have had AFIB for a lot of years now. In my..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

Welcome to the group. I have had AFIB for a lot of years now. In my early years with this condition, I did like a lot of folks does. I just blew it off. Mine wasn't real bad at first. Then back around 2004 I had two sessions that lasted 7+ hours and 4+ hours. Spent a few days in hospital. They did almost every test you could think of and found nothing. It became and still is very frustrating. So now, I am waiting on my second attempt at the Watchman. If the second one fails, I do not know what route I will go. Please, take the time to read all the posts in this thread, do lots of research, talk to you medical team.

I keep hearing about "silent AFIB" and can find almost nothing about it. So I keep looking for answers and waiting on doctors. It is very frustrating for me because I do not like the waiting part. I am one of those people that want to get it done. Hope all works out well for you. If you have questions, please ask.

Jump to this post

I had afib. Tried 2 ablations. After the 2nd it got worse. I had it 24/7. Went to Cleveland clinic. I am now on Tikosyn for 2 years and no longer suffer with it. Good luck

REPLY
1 reply
phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Feb 14, 2021
In reply to @cturner01 "Yes - diagnosed as chronic or permanent." + (show)
@cturner01

Yes - diagnosed as chronic or permanent.

Jump to this post

Welcome to the group. I have had AFIB for a lot of years now. In my early years with this condition, I did like a lot of folks does. I just blew it off. Mine wasn't real bad at first. Then back around 2004 I had two sessions that lasted 7+ hours and 4+ hours. Spent a few days in hospital. They did almost every test you could think of and found nothing. It became and still is very frustrating. So now, I am waiting on my second attempt at the Watchman. If the second one fails, I do not know what route I will go. Please, take the time to read all the posts in this thread, do lots of research, talk to you medical team.

I keep hearing about "silent AFIB" and can find almost nothing about it. So I keep looking for answers and waiting on doctors. It is very frustrating for me because I do not like the waiting part. I am one of those people that want to get it done. Hope all works out well for you. If you have questions, please ask.

REPLY
1 reply
cturner01 | @cturner01 | Feb 13, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @cturner01, The watchman device is used to close off the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA)...." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @cturner01,
The watchman device is used to close off the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA). It can be an alternative to blood thinners, but it's main function is to prevent blood clots from being thrown from the LAA that would cause a stroke in people with AFib. Overall it does not prevent AFib from happening.

Here is a good article that explains it in detail. https://www.umcvc.org/conditions-treatments/watchman-device-treating-atrial-fibrillation-afib

@cturner01, do you currently have AFib?

Jump to this post

Yes - diagnosed as chronic or permanent.

REPLY
1 reply
Funcountess | @funcountess | Feb 13, 2021
In reply to @starfirey2k "All of the input here is very good to help as well with my decision to..." + (show)
@starfirey2k

All of the input here is very good to help as well with my decision to pursue the watchman device, thank you all.

Jump to this post

Just want to take a few minutes on ♥️ ❤️ 💜 heart group and others to wish everyone a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.
DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
Funcountess

REPLY
cturner01 | @cturner01 | Feb 12, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @cturner01, The watchman device is used to close off the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA)...." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @cturner01,
The watchman device is used to close off the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA). It can be an alternative to blood thinners, but it's main function is to prevent blood clots from being thrown from the LAA that would cause a stroke in people with AFib. Overall it does not prevent AFib from happening.

Here is a good article that explains it in detail. https://www.umcvc.org/conditions-treatments/watchman-device-treating-atrial-fibrillation-afib

@cturner01, do you currently have AFib?

Jump to this post

Thank you for this information.

REPLY
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Feb 12, 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.

Jump to this post

Hi @cturner01,
The watchman device is used to close off the heart’s left atrial appendage (LAA). It can be an alternative to blood thinners, but it's main function is to prevent blood clots from being thrown from the LAA that would cause a stroke in people with AFib. Overall it does not prevent AFib from happening.

Here is a good article that explains it in detail. https://www.umcvc.org/conditions-treatments/watchman-device-treating-atrial-fibrillation-afib

@cturner01, do you currently have AFib?

REPLY
2 replies
cturner01 | @cturner01 | Feb 12, 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.

Jump to this post

The watchman is just to replace blood thinners, but dies not help AFIB, correct?

REPLY
phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Feb 11, 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.

Jump to this post

Did a stress test today. I lasted a whole 10 minutes on the treadmill. The nurse promised me she was not going to make me run...then the machine decided I needed to run...I bailed off. A cardiologist came in and looked at the strip and stated he saw "some abnormalities" and made some comment about a drop in blood pressure. He took the strip and said he wants to study it a bit more and will make his report. So now, I am on a monitor for two weeks. Still waiting on the EP surgeon to decide what he wants to do about putting in the Watchman FLX. I hate waiting.

REPLY
phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Feb 3, 2021
In reply to @starfirey2k "I just started to approach this device with the cardio doc who is a EP, and..." + (show)
@starfirey2k

I just started to approach this device with the cardio doc who is a EP, and will see what it brings? I am wanting to get off the blood thinners, so I can take other types of meds as well. thanks and hope you get through this, feel better soon.

Jump to this post

I wish you well. The hole in my LAA is an odd shape and my EP is wanting to do a few more of the Watchman FLX before he does mine. For me, it is very frustrating. I am not one for sitting around and waiting. If it has to be done, let's get it over with. I can not take blood thinners due to my internal bleeding issues. If there is any way I can be of help just let me know. I think most hospitals have the same way of doing this procedure so you should be well prepared for what is going to happen. Go in with a clear mind, trust in your team and you will be OK. One step at a time. Please, keep us posted on your journey. Best of luck.

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