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Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?
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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Thank you so much for the information. much appreciated
TEE IS Transesophegal electrogram3 required at 2 months, 6 months and 1 year. They are done to make sure all is OK. ASA is a full strength Asparin taken daily for the rest of your life. Kathe
Kathe, Thank you for the info
Does anyone have a watchman implant? If so are you happy or satisfied with it.My EP suggested I might want to have one instead of taking blood thinner
Hello @lyndalk and welcome to Connect. It sounds as if you have had a number of problems related to stroke and I can understand both your concern about the Watchman procedure as well as the need for it. We have had other members who have also had bleeding problems with blood thinners and went on to get the Watchman in order to deal with the possibility of a stroke. I would like to introduce you to @tresjur and @kathe626, who have also had the Watchman.
@kathe626 How are you doing? Did you have the TEE in January as planned? I hope it went well. I would love to have an update from you when you have a moment.
@1943 I hope you are doing well. Do you have any updates you would like to share?
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1 ReactionHi everyone. I go in the 17th of April 2019 for my watchman procedure. I'm very scared. Back story is this. On November 12th 2017 I had a stroke. I had a heart loop monitor put in and found out I have A fib. In March 2016 I went through a cardiac ablation because of very long bouts of SVT for 21 years to the month. I was put on warfarin but it was changed to eloquis because the warfarin wasn't getting dialed in. Went to the eye doctor later and found out I was having blood bleeds behind my eyes. Dr immediately took me of of the the eloquis and that has been going on just over 2 weeks. Oh I forgot, when I had my stroke CT showed I had a previous one without the side paralization. Any words to calm my fears?
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1 Reaction@predictable Yes, @tresjur is right.
It is like an echocardiogram only from the inside of your body, not the outside. Very good tool for looking at the heart valves and other potential problems.
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3 ReactionsKathe626,
I was on Eliquis instead of Xeralto following the implant. The six months of Eliquis went by quickly without problems for me and I have been on the low dose aspirin since March of this year. For me, the implant was the right thing to do. Great hearing you are doing well and that you can maintain your very active life.
Tresjur
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2 ReactionsMartin, a TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiography) is a test that produces pictures of your heart. A small thin tube passes through your mouth and into your throat.
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2 ReactionsI had the watchman implanted 7-21-18, as had terrible bruising and nose bleeds constantly while on xeralto. I had been referred to a specialist for the watchman procedure when I was diagnosed with A Fib. I had a chad score of 5 and MRI evidence of a stroke, fortunately without any symptoms or resulting problems. I was considered an excellent prospect as I am very active, skiing, tennis, biking, hiking and gardening, therefore blood thinners but me at great risk for problems as I did not want to give up my active life style. Long story short after 5 years on Xeralto at age 82, I bit the bullet and had the procedure done. It was a walk in the park, as was the TEE 6 weeks later. The only problem is I am still on a blood thinner plavex until after the next TEE in January. I do still have bruising but it does seem to fade an doesn't leave as much of an iron stain, and the nose bleeds are less frequent. So my fingers are crossed that in January I can say by by to all blood thinners and bruising. Hope you do as well. Sincerely Kathe
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