"Watchman" heart device

[dennis in se pa]

I never heard of this before. According to my cardiologist it helps prevent blood clots in the atrial appendage. Anyone have any knowledge/experience with this. Is it new?

[PorscheGAL]

I had to look it up. Video from the manufacturer is from 2015 so not that new:

https://www.watchman.com/en-us/how-watchman-device-works.html

[p911dad]

I've had one for 1 1/2 years. I had intermittent afib and can't stand the blood thinner coumadin so the cardio doc suggested this. It reduces any chance of a clot if you go into afib. It is deep in specialist territory. They kept me in the hospital overnight for observation, no problems at all. The doctors thread it up from the groin into the heart. It eventually is covered over with your native tissue and becomes part of you. I have had no issues whatever.

[dennis in se pa]

Thank you both. My afib is supposedly very slight. Can't stand Coumadin either - it really affects my taste buds.

[McLovin]

The new version, the Watchman FLX, was just approved in the US.
It is superior to the old version in all ways. Including that it is easier to install and leaves less room for operator error.
If you are in afib, you might want to consider having the afib fixed first by an ablation (or two).
Because the Watchman ends up sealing the left atrial appendage. If they ablate, they may need to ablate inside the appendage, if that’s where your afib is originating from.
That will be difficult or maybe impossible if the watchman is in place.

[McLovin]

You also may have issues getting your insurance to cover it. Depends on your insurance.

[dennis in se pa]

Here's the thing - I only feel something when I noticeably over exert myself. Which I of course try not to do. I had a stent put in my mitral valve 20 years ago. I do not know where this afib is coming from in my heart, as you mention. At this point I have no complaints and no pain. I never heard of this before, so I am leery.
Thanks for your responses. FWIW I am 69 years old.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

Here's the thing - I only feel something when I noticeably over exert myself. Which I of course try not to do. I had a stent put in my mitral valve 20 years ago. I do not know where this afib is coming from in my heart, as you mention. At this point I have no complaints and no pain. I never heard of this before, so I am leery.
Thanks for your responses. FWIW I am 69 years old.

L)sided heart clots setting sail for parts unknown are nothing to mess with. Embolisms (clots) to your brain, organs or a limb can be an emergency or massively debilitating all the way through "show stopper". Bowel infarction is an ugly and painful way to die. Mind your p's and q's.

[Bill Douglas]

My heart goes out to you guys - pun intended.

On thursday I got carted off to accient and emergency with a suspected heart attack. Lots of ecg's and blood tests. A loooong night.

They said I'm fine heart wise. So I felt like I'd won lotto, but better than lotto. Sure lotto would be fun, but no fun if you are going to die shortly after. So I'm embracing my good health.

I'm told I need to see a psychologist (dealing with stress issues, major childhood trauma etc) but I don't know what these crazy bastards are talking about so I'll just carry on as I usually do.

Good luck to you guys!

[dewolf]

I suffer from paroxysmal AFIB as well. Have done since 2007. The events are getting more and more frequent as time goes on. Just last week I started having runs of PVC's as well. I'm now on 5 tablets a day to keep the rhythm in check. Apparently I'm not a candidate for ablation because of where the afib is starting. I'm over it. I'm sick and tired of being tired all the time. My resting heart rate is now around 45-50 beats a minute. Even under heavy exercise it won't go over 105.
I'm only 53 and fairly good health wise. Eat well, don't drink alcohol, don't smoke and don't do drugs. Perhaps that's the problem right there!
Might have to chat with cardiologist about this thing.

[dennis in se pa]

The events are getting more and more frequent".
That's just it - I don't seem to have "events". I was monitored for 24 hours and none showed up on the report. What is an "event"?

[McLovin]

dewolf ~ my guess is you can be fixed, IF you get to the right doctor.

Afíb ablation success rate is hugely dependent on the skill and experience of the doctor. There’s a ton of doctors who dabble in doing ablations. They are IMO a waste of time.

There is a handful of elite ablationists who have done thousands and thousands and are on the cutting edge of technology, technique and experience. The lead guy has done almost 10,000 ablations himself. You needs someone like that.

I highly recommend the forum at afibbers.org for anyone fighting afib.

[dennis in se pa]

Tk McLovin.

[McLovin]

You’re welcome.
Afib shouldn’t be taken lightly.
And there’s a lot of really bad and confusing info out there.
Get on afibbers.org, ask any questions there, and also get in contact with the guy who runs the site, Shannon. He’s a wealth of knowledge, and very generous with his time. He’s been a life changer for many.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

The events are getting more and more frequent".
That's just it - I don't seem to have "events". I was monitored for 24 hours and none showed up on the report. What is an "event"?

My events are heart palps that can last for 20-30 seconds. Sometimes 20-40 episodes a day. My longest bout was 4 hours at 185.