New Implantable Device May Reduce Risk of Stroke for AF Patients

[barbara2]

Hi, all! Interesting:

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) risk of provides a new option for patients with non-valvular AF who may require an alternative to long-term use of blood thinners.

uknow.uky.edu/content/new-i...

[Goldfish_]

Sounds an interesting possibility. I had a look at the trial data and the numbers of events during the 18 months of the trial comparing warfarin with watchman was very small, so rather underpowered. In addition the long term complications are unknown, but time will tell. It seems like it's not likely to be mainstream for a while yet.

[Gilldy]

I went to see a doctor at Papworth Hospital about this - on paper it looked just what i wanted. He said it really was more for 'when everything else has been tried'. Also it was no longer NHS funded with them but may be available at other Hospitals around the country who are trialing it. He quoted me around £20,000 for a private op although I'd seen it on the internet at £15,000. In general he didn't seem a great fan.

[BobD Volunteer]

At HRC in October we were told that NHS funding for the Watchman trial had expired/run out and that no further NHS implantations were expected in the foreseeable future. I also seem to recall some discussion in medical circles about whether or not the Left Atrial Appendage was needed and maybe blocking it or removing it may not be a good idea. All a bit new really even if it has been around for so long. Five or six years maybe?

[Rellim296]

I don't feel this is really an alternative to anticoagulation. The words sledgehammer and nut might slightly spring to mind, but it can be a solution for those for whom anticoagulation is not suitable to give them protection against stroke.

[azriverrat]

If you can not take medicines for some reason then maybe. I do not like the thought of something that could fall apart in my heart.

[rebecca70]

There have already been lawsuits as a result of the malfunction of the watchman so beware.

Rebecca