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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debithejedi | @debithejedi | Dec 28, 2022

In reply to @phoenix1647 "I was on thinners a few years ago but have developed internal bleeding so had to..." + (show)

I, also, was on blood thinners for many years and was given 4 units of packed red cells when my hemoglobin dropped to 3.7. They could not find why the loss of blood after a week of testing in the hospital. I even had a bone marrow biopsy. This was 3 months after I was hospitalized with covid back in 2020. Over the next few months my hemoglobin continued to drop, so I decided to make an appt with a GI Dr. He found multiple arteriovenous malformations in my small intestines and cauterized them. I have not had an incident of blood loss since then. Since there was a history of blood loss my cardioelectrophysioloist suggested a Watchman implant. I was thrilled that I could come off Xarelto. Had the implant without incident and went home the next morning. Continued on antiarrythmic for 5 more months and have not needed anything other than 81mg Aspirin daily since then. Had an ablation at the time of the implant. Now I'm suffering with pulmonary hypertension and grade 3 diastolic dysfunction, which has nothing to do with heart rythym, but was there the whole time and Dr didn't catch it. I finally went to a pulmonary Dr regarding my shortness of breath. Through many rigorous testing I was then diagnosed.

sarahmckenna | @sarahmckenna | Nov 5, 2022

In reply to @realitytest "I read your description carefully (I believe you are the contributor who described his surgery in..." + (show)

Is it better to go to Cleveland clinic or Mayo for watchman procedure.
Is it dangerous and have they improved device to rid of complications

oldandintheway | @oldandintheway | Sep 19, 2022

In reply to @realitytest "I myself am looking into having a Watchman procedure performed. I certainly wish you all the..." + (show)

Thanks for your comments and info. Something new comes out all of the time. I hope the Watchman is a presently good choice for those of us affected. I've lived with Afib for almost 12 years. Eventually, one ceases to worry about it....

realitytest | @realitytest | Sep 17, 2022

In reply to @oldandintheway "On blood thinners since 2005 with atrial fib, 3 stents, several ablations and cardioconversions. On Eliquis..." + (show)

I myself am looking into having a Watchman procedure performed.

I certainly wish you all the best, but do be aware that the Watchman is not designed to eliminate AFIB but rather to allow you to avert strokes without taking blood thinners (after that initial healing period).

I decided to have a Watchman because blood thinners carry with them a special added risk to my wet macular degeneration (they add risk for the retinal bleeding which is what kills the macular cells and leads to blindness).

There are other significant advantages to avoiding blood thinners too:
if you have a hemorrhagic stroke, while taking them you are pretty much a goner as the reversal agents are few and far between (even if you were able to get to a hospital carrying them in time, the cost is $25K for the first dose, and another $25K if you need another. The cost is the main reason hospitals don't carry it).

Also, anything causing bleeding, is hard to control while taking blood thinners.

Many doctors advise against older people taking them , because of their greater fall risk (especially because they might cause cerebral bleeding).

So you will end up ahead no matter what even if you continue to have Afib.

Best of luck1

obdoc2001 | @obdoc2001 | Sep 16, 2022

In reply to @oldandintheway "On blood thinners since 2005 with atrial fib, 3 stents, several ablations and cardioconversions. On Eliquis..." + (show)

Best wishes.

oldandintheway | @oldandintheway | Sep 15, 2022

On blood thinners since 2005 with atrial fib, 3 stents, several ablations and cardioconversions. On Eliquis and Tikcosin for a long time. Afrer an extended battle with renal failure, I recovered and took several tests to determine my heart strength. I was implanted with a Watchman 13 September,2022 and so far so good.In 4 weeks I will srart a couple of tests to assure the implant is good - then at about 45 days I may be able to eliminate blood thinners and maybe see an improvenent to my atrial fib.I tnink it is worth the effort. I am 87....

JerryP | @jfperrone | Sep 1, 2022

In reply to @phoenix1647 "I was to have a watchman device implanted on Dec 22.2020. The procedure was a failure..." + (show)

Let me clarify. Following the installation of the watchman my friend was told he can then stop taking eliquis, that was the problem. He immediately went back on the drug no problems since.

richardckoch | @richardckoch | Aug 7, 2022

In reply to @phoenix1647 "I was to have a watchman device implanted on Dec 22.2020. The procedure was a failure..." + (show)

Thank you for your insight and experience. You're like a newly found support team member, which I badly need. My wife passed last October four days after my birthday, and now I live alone. No family here. That would be OK normally, but then these medical problems came up. Ah, the joys of getting old!!

bobbyd1017 | @becky1024 | Aug 7, 2022

In reply to @richardckoch "Becky, I never heard of this D-Dimer test. I go to the Heart Failure Clinic here..." + (show)

If they find D-Dimer in your blood, I believe it indicates your blood has the right condition for making clots. That way your doctors can use that information to determine what exactly is wrong with your blood that is causing you to form blood clots. So once they correct the problem, a D-Dimer test can tell if more clots are forming somewhere in your body. If it is, like me, my doctors ordered a special technology to find where in the body the clot or clots are forming, so they can be dissolved. First they do the whole upper body, then the next scan does the legs. Since your own body defense can dissolve a clot over time, I believe D-Dimer is what is released into the blood as the clot breaks down. Glad I could give you my knowledge. Becky

richardckoch | @richardckoch | Aug 7, 2022

In reply to @becky1024 "One thing I forgot to ask you, were you given the D-Dimer blood test. Its a..." + (show)

Becky, I never heard of this D-Dimer test. I go to the Heart Failure Clinic here in Rome, GA this Friday and I'll be sure to ask about it. Thanks for the heads up. Richard.

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