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.

starfirey2k | @starfirey2k | Feb 2, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "WOW!!! I just got my bill for my failed Watchman procedure. So far, the bill is..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

WOW!!! I just got my bill for my failed Watchman procedure. So far, the bill is $177,361.52 and there could be more to come in. And to think I need to do this all over again.....So grateful I have good insurance. My co-pay as of right now is $0.00

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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.

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1 reply
phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Feb 2, 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

WOW!!! I just got my bill for my failed Watchman procedure. So far, the bill is $177,361.52 and there could be more to come in. And to think I need to do this all over again.....So grateful I have good insurance. My co-pay as of right now is $0.00

REPLY
1 reply
phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Jan 29, 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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UPDATE: I talked to the EP department today. My surgeon has only done a few of the Watchman Flex's and wants to do a few more before he tackles me. Seems like the hole in my LAA is odd shaped. He wants to get a little more experience before he does mine. So...it could be April or May (or later) before I can get my Watchman done. I guess I should be happy the surgeon doesn't want to go into my situation blind. I will post more as soon as I get more info.

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phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Jan 16, 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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I finally got access to my medical records from the failed procedure. Seems they tried to use the NON-FLEX devices. I will be talking to cardiology on Jan 27 to see about trying the newer Watchman FLX. I also talked to a Watchman rep who informed me she knew of NO newer models coming out anytime soon but they are always trying to improve their produces.

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phoenix1647 | @phoenix1647 | Jan 5, 2021
In reply to @odaleberg "I would but my procedure is tomorrow, Wednesday the 6th" + (show)
@odaleberg

I would but my procedure is tomorrow, Wednesday the 6th

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I wish you success and a smooth recovery. May I suggest whoever goes with you to bring some jello or maybe pudding cups for the recovery room? Perhaps some snacks for the room too. It's a long time between meals in the room. You will do fine.

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odaleberg | @odaleberg | Jan 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.

Jump to this post

I would but my procedure is tomorrow, Wednesday the 6th

REPLY
1 reply
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @hopalongnm3 "Thank you. We often go blindly trusting to a new doctor." + (show)
@hopalongnm3

Thank you. We often go blindly trusting to a new doctor.

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Hi @hopalongnm3, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that @phoenix1647 responded to you as well. May I ask, @hopalongnm3, d you have the watchman device as well?
Would you be willing to share your experience with the group?

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starfirey2k | @starfirey2k | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "From my research, the LAA serves no useful purpose. Why is it there? I have no..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

From my research, the LAA serves no useful purpose. Why is it there? I have no clue. I often wondered why they can't just sew it closed but have never seen anything on that subject. I am thinking duct tape won't work here....

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https://www.ctsnet.org/article/thoracoscopic-left-atrial-appendage-closure-atriclip

REPLY
1 reply
starfirey2k | @starfirey2k | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @phoenix1647 "From my research, the LAA serves no useful purpose. Why is it there? I have no..." + (show)
@phoenix1647

From my research, the LAA serves no useful purpose. Why is it there? I have no clue. I often wondered why they can't just sew it closed but have never seen anything on that subject. I am thinking duct tape won't work here....

Jump to this post

LARIAT Device
The Procedure
The second catheter-based procedure uses a device called LARIAT to place a loop stitch around the base of the left atrial appendage, permanently sealing it off from the rest of the heart and blocking stroke-causing blood clots from entering the brain. Johns Hopkins is currently the only center in the mid-Atlantic region offering LARIAT as an option. Patients who have had prior cardiac surgery are not candidates for this procedure. A CT scan will need to be performed to make certain that the left atrial appendage is not too large or has an unusual location that precludes placement of this device.

What are the risks?
The use of the suture delivery device does not require the use of immediate use of blood thinners. As with any invasive procedure, there are risks to placement of this type of device. Your doctor can go over these risks in detail.

What happens after the procedure?
You will have a follow-up appointment 45 days after the procedure.

Once the left atrial appendage is blocked, you will be followed on a routine basis by your referring physician.

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