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.

1943 | @1943 | Oct 7, 2018

Recently had the watchman installed. Have to go back in six weeks for echo?

REPLY
1 reply
Tresjur | @tresjur | Mar 21, 2018
In reply to @bergordon "Hi Mary! Was very interested in reading your post. I've been on Eliquis for several years..." + (show)
@bergordon

Hi Mary!
Was very interested in reading your post. I've been on Eliquis for several years now and have had no problems until last month. On Sep 23, I developed a severe GI bleed, resulting in the loss of a lit of blood, a 5 day stay in the hospital, 2 blood transfusions and a significant setback overall. I believe my bleeding was caused from a gastric ulcer that started bleeding. Once the bleeding started, it wouldn't stop because of the Eliquis. They gave me an anticoagulant to stop the bleeding and it worked. So, I've been off of all blood thinners since then, waiting for the ulcer to heal enough for me to restart the blood thinners. I've been in and out of aFib a number of times since then, and like you, worry constantly about having a stroke. I go back to my Electrophysiologist on Monday to see where to go next. I've been researching the pros and cons of the watchman and have about decided it's my best bet. I've read where it isn't as effective as a blood thinner, but then on the other hand, it's not as dangerous either. I guess there's no one stop quick fix, we just have to go with the best option. What do you think of my thoughts? Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

Billie

Jump to this post

Hello Billie,

I'm so sorry to have taken so long to write. Somewhere I missed your post so I did not know where you were in getting the implant. I'm so glad to hear that you finally had it done and all is going well for you. From your description, your procedural plan is actually what I experienced. Yesterday I had my final 6 month checkup and as of today, I am on the low dose aspirin only. My journey went well, I had no problems after the implantation and I have no complaints to date. It is a relief to be able to drop one med (Plavix) from my daily regime.

Take care and please keep in touch.

Blessings,
Mary

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @gr82balive "To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what..." + (show)
@gr82balive

To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what the other products advertise as being their advantage. A possible down-side to the newer products is that unlike warfarin, there isn't an antidote to reverse their effect in an emergency. I'm not sure if this is actually true, but certainly something to ask your healthcare professional about. I've been on warfarin for 5 years now without problems, other than the occasional INR being a little too low or two high depending on diet and hydration.

Jump to this post

GOOD MORNING!
I AM A BIT CONFUSED. YOU ARE TAKING ASPRIN AND BLOOD THINNERS? ARE YOU TAKING AN ADULT OR BABY ASPRIN?
I AM ALL FOR BEING OUR OWN ADVOCATE, BUT IF YOU ARE NOT PLEASED WITH THE WAY YOUR DOC IS CARING FOR YOUR AFIB, WHY NOT FIND ONE YOU LIKE? IF YOU REMAIN WITH THIS DOC, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HE/SHE KNOWS YOU ARE TAKING ASPRIN SINCE IT MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE MEDS YOU ARE GIVEN AND THE WAY YOUR TREATMENT PLAN WILL GO.
IF YOU FEAR FOR YOUR SAFETY, WHY NOT GET ONE OF THOSE 'I CAN'T GET UP' EMERGENCY NECKLACE? I HAVE ONE AND WEAR IT WHEN I AM ALONE IN MY HOUSE. I AM 63 BUT I AM AT RISK TO FALL. I CERTAINLY FEEL SAFER WITH IT.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

REPLY
bjme | @bjme | Mar 18, 2018
In reply to @gr82balive "To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what..." + (show)
@gr82balive

To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what the other products advertise as being their advantage. A possible down-side to the newer products is that unlike warfarin, there isn't an antidote to reverse their effect in an emergency. I'm not sure if this is actually true, but certainly something to ask your healthcare professional about. I've been on warfarin for 5 years now without problems, other than the occasional INR being a little too low or two high depending on diet and hydration.

Jump to this post

I have AFIB but contrary to what my cardiologist wants I am just taking a full aspirin daily.I don't have symptoms - fast heartbeat - pulse almost always in the 70's unless exercising. I'm widowed living alone and worry everyday of my condition or complications with taking a blood thinner. Also, because I enjoy doing yard work, shoveling snow and just being very independent I do have accidents and have slipped on ice or trip over something and tumble down more than a couple of times. I think I would have to make life changes to be on a blood thinner. I'm in my mid seventies and otherwise healthy - on no Rx just OTC vitamins and of course the aspirin. It is a worry and that is why if there is something i can do to protect myself and not take blood thinners I'm interested.and curious

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Mar 18, 2018
In reply to @gr82balive "To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what..." + (show)
@gr82balive

To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what the other products advertise as being their advantage. A possible down-side to the newer products is that unlike warfarin, there isn't an antidote to reverse their effect in an emergency. I'm not sure if this is actually true, but certainly something to ask your healthcare professional about. I've been on warfarin for 5 years now without problems, other than the occasional INR being a little too low or two high depending on diet and hydration.

Jump to this post

Welcome to Connect, @bjme,

TEE stands for transesophageal echo which is a type of echo where a flexible tube containing a transducer is guided down your throat and into your esophagus, which connects your mouth to your stomach. From there, the transducer can be positioned to obtain more-detailed images of your heart. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/echocardiogram/about/pac-20393856

What brings you to Connect, @bjme?

REPLY
bjme | @bjme | Mar 18, 2018
In reply to @gr82balive "To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what..." + (show)
@gr82balive

To me the only drawback with being on warfarin, is the monitoring INR levels, is what the other products advertise as being their advantage. A possible down-side to the newer products is that unlike warfarin, there isn't an antidote to reverse their effect in an emergency. I'm not sure if this is actually true, but certainly something to ask your healthcare professional about. I've been on warfarin for 5 years now without problems, other than the occasional INR being a little too low or two high depending on diet and hydration.

Jump to this post

WHAT IS TEE?

REPLY
bergordon | @bergordon | Feb 9, 2018
In reply to @bergordon "Hi Mary! Was very interested in reading your post. I've been on Eliquis for several years..." + (show)
@bergordon

Hi Mary!
Was very interested in reading your post. I've been on Eliquis for several years now and have had no problems until last month. On Sep 23, I developed a severe GI bleed, resulting in the loss of a lit of blood, a 5 day stay in the hospital, 2 blood transfusions and a significant setback overall. I believe my bleeding was caused from a gastric ulcer that started bleeding. Once the bleeding started, it wouldn't stop because of the Eliquis. They gave me an anticoagulant to stop the bleeding and it worked. So, I've been off of all blood thinners since then, waiting for the ulcer to heal enough for me to restart the blood thinners. I've been in and out of aFib a number of times since then, and like you, worry constantly about having a stroke. I go back to my Electrophysiologist on Monday to see where to go next. I've been researching the pros and cons of the watchman and have about decided it's my best bet. I've read where it isn't as effective as a blood thinner, but then on the other hand, it's not as dangerous either. I guess there's no one stop quick fix, we just have to go with the best option. What do you think of my thoughts? Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

Billie

Jump to this post

Hi Mary,
Just wanted you to know I had the Watchman Device implanted this past Monday. Like with you, the stitches were removed the same day and I did stay overnight. I had no problems whatsoever with the procedure. My plan is to stay on Eliquis for 45 days, have a TEE on March 22 to determine if the opening is totally closed, then to get off of Eliquis and be on Plavix and baby aspirin for 6 months. If everything is fine during that period, I will quit taking the Plavix and only take the baby aspirin. Sounds like a pretty good plan. This week (since the Implant on Feb 5th) has been good - no problems at all! I’m hoping this is the start of an improvement stage!!
How are things going with you?

Take care!
Billie

REPLY
1 reply
Tresjur | @tresjur | Nov 14, 2017
In reply to @bergordon "Good to hear from you Mary! And so glad everything went well at the Electrophysiologist visit...." + (show)
@bergordon

Good to hear from you Mary!

And so glad everything went well at the Electrophysiologist visit. I know you’re excited about the TEE on the 30th. I’ve got it marked on my calendar and will be thinking of you that day!

I ‘think’ I had a minor setback yesterday. I’ve been doing pretty good on my recovery from the gastric bleed and slowly getting stronger. I had a visit with my cardiologist yesterday morning. I had been looking so forward to that visit, because it was to get me started doing whatever he needed me to do to prepare for the Watchman. However, right before I got to his office, I started feeling light headed, was dizzy, nauseated, disoriented, etc. They took me right back into his office from the waiting room, where my BP was 82/54. He came right in, said I looked like I was having some type of problem and had me taken to the ER. I was there until 8:30 last night. They gave me fluids, monitored me, ran tests and changed some of my Meds. They also found out that my heart rate had spiked to 181 while I was at the doctor’s office. Diagnosis was that it as an aFib event. I usually am in aFib and don’t even know it. I guess there’s a first for everything!!

Before I left my doctor’s office, I told him I wanted to talk to him about the Watchman, etc. He said, we’ll talk later. Anyway, the good part of the whole ordeal yesterday, was that my Electrophysiologist came to see me in the ER, and said he’d work with the Cardiologist to get things rolling. So, we’ll see!! I see my gastric doctor next Tuesday to get her approval. So, I guess, we’re still working toward it - just not in the structured way I wanted it to happen!

I’m feeling okay today. So hopefully, yesterday won’t set me back too bad.

Take care!

Billie

Jump to this post

Hi Billie,

I'm sorry I took so long to post but time has been getting away from me lately. My October 30 TEE went well and I'm on to the next step of this process. I will be on Plavix and a low dose aspirin for the next six months. After that, it will just be a low dose aspirin for life.

How is your approval process going? I hope all is well with you and will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Mary

REPLY
1 reply
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Oct 25, 2017

Hi @gracie1,

Welcome to Connect! As Teresa mentioned, your friend could join Connect, where she would be warmly welcomed by an incredibly informative community. We have quite a few active discussions on Afib, which she can also read. If you have any questions with regard to her joining or getting started, please do let us know.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 25, 2017

@gracie1

How nice that you would like your friend to benefit from these discussions!

You could certainly invite her to join Connect as you did last month. She would not necessarily have to post information about herself if she didn't want to, however, she could read the posts and benefit by the sharing of experiences.

Teresa

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