Connect
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
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
No my surgery is in a couple weeks and if I choose a metal valve, I’ll be on warfarin for life. Someone here had mentioned moving to Watchman so I asked questions
Note: I have no direct experience with or even opinion about the Watchman (although I profess a stubborn bias against what seem to be widespread aggressive cardiological interventions; & I identify with what some term "medical conservatism;" see: https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(19)30167-6/fulltext).
But John Mandrola, EP cardiologist & chief cardiology editor for Medscape does--& here is one of his Medscape commentaries on clinical-investigative data gathered & analyzed about the Watchman & its comparative use: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/888355.
Stay safe & all the best!
I had a successful mitral valve repair and an ablation 11 months ago. I had an annuloplasty ring installed as part of the valve repair. I also had a MitraClip installed, no Watcheman, to close my LAA. Four months later I wore a heart monitor for 30 days and as a result was taken off of Eliquis, immediately, no need. Now I only take 12.5mg metoprolol, 81mg aspirin, and 29% RDA magnesium supplement in the morning. Heart rate and BP all good. I exercise moderately and keep calories, sugar, and salt under control. I am a male and will be 79 next month. Hope this helps.
@koleke -- Thanks for clarifying.
I would definitely re-visit the matter with my EP if I was you. Eliquis is expensive... plus if you don't have AF, there's no justifiable reason to continue it.
Personally, I would stop it... and continue monitoring my AF status regularly... several ways to do that. If the AF returns, then I'd restart anticoaglant.
All the best!
/LarryG
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have a very close friend who had the watchman installed; no problem. He was told he now could stop taking Eliquis, which he did. A short while later he had a stroke. He is now back on Eliquis. He said "that was bad advice".
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionNo I have no other conditions. They seem to think that one unplanned Afib incident can cause a stroke and the doctor said, "then what?" Scary but I don't trust any of them. Thanks for your input.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@koleke -- Great news that the ablation eliminated your AF.
Surprised to hear that you've been told you need to be on the anticoagulant for the "rest of my life." WHY... if the AF remains at bay???
Do you have another med issue for which anticoagulation is recommended?
Continued good health!
/LarryG
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you for this discussion! I am also an Afib patient but had an ablation a year ago and have not experienced any Afib episodes that I'm aware of. Going in for my annual check up I was told that I need to continue on blood thinners (I take Eliquis) for the rest of my life even though the Afib events have ceased for now. I was also offered the watchman and now am trying to decide. I'm 69 and otherwise healthy but am starting to bruise more than I used to. I would like to hear other's opinions. Thanks!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHello @fredster4
These are good questions to ask your cardiologist at your next appointment. Sometimes there are protocols for certain procedures. A lot of the people who have Watchman devices implanted have had bleeding problems with Eliquis (or other blood thinners). If you begin to have bleeding problems, you should contact your doctor right away.
How are you feeling taking Eliquis?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI hear so much good about Watchman that I wonder what the downside is. And why was I not put on it originally. Maybe they needed more data? I have now been on Eliquis for around a month and have a stress test next week followed by a summary meeting with my cardiologist.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions