Article on left atrial appendage.

[seasider18]

einstein.yu.edu/departments...

[BobD Volunteer]

Interesting.

[seasider18 in reply to BobD]

It could be that some on Warfarin or NOAC's have little need for them. I'm sure that all patients don't have an echocardiogram as part of diagnosis.

[Angie06 in reply to seasider18]

Interesting especially as I'm on the waiting list for an occlusion device, Watchman, and very nervous about having it done but I'm unable to take anticoagulant due to cavernoma in the brain and possible bleed.

[seasider18 in reply to Angie06]

I had the Amplatzer amulet fitted in April and I can assure you it is a simple procedure. It should be day surgery but as mine was done in late afternoon I had to stay overnight and travelled home by train next day as if nothing had happened.

I had an echocardiogram six weeks later to check that it was well seated. I had to take Clopidogrel for a month and aspirin for six months but this seems to vary from hospital to hospital.

You say on the waiting list, are you in the UK ? The NHS will no longer fund the procedure due to cost cutting and I had to have mine done privately. I had about a five week wait as I could not take the first date offered and then the consultant (who had done over 100 of the procedures) was going on holiday.

The AF Association if you search the site are campaigning to get the procedure funded by the NHS again. I was told that it will be about two years before the NHS fund it again.

[Angie06 in reply to seasider18]

Yes the NHS is funding a few more and I was given a date in 3wks time but unable to take this date so will have it done after Xmas. It will be under General Anaesthetic so an overnight stay. In the UK so having it done at Barts.

[seasider18 in reply to Angie06]

Lucky you! Is it Dr Lobo that you see?

[Angie06 in reply to seasider18]

Dr Chow, he also lectures on the Watchman device as well.

[seasider18 in reply to Angie06]

I contacted Dr Lobo once to try to get on his renal denervation trial for hypertension but all the places had been allocated. His PA offered to get me on his list at Guys outpatients but as I'm in East Sussex it seemed a bit far to travel.

Then the rep of the company making the renal denervation equipment got me an appointment at Imperial College who decided that my BP was not consistently high enough for the treatment. However the physical examination discovered my Aortic stenosis that led to my valve replacement so my efforts did produce a diagnosis that might not have been otherwise found.

[seasider18 in reply to Angie06]

Me again I see that I responded with todays reply when you asked about the Watchman previously.

[Polski]

This sounds absolutely fascinating. Does an echo show which of us is in which category? If this was added to the CHADs2 scoring system it might make a real difference to some of us.

[seasider18 in reply to Polski]

Have you had an echocardiogram?

I assume that the echo must show it. I was told by a locum after an echo that I was not suitable for a cardioversion as my right atrium was the wrong size but that an ablation might change it. I have an appointment with an EP next week and will clarify that.

[Polski in reply to seasider18]

Thank you. I have had an echocardiogram, but never thought to ask about the left atrial appendage. Please let us know what he says!

[seasider18 in reply to Polski]

Now we know the questions to ask.

First couple I had after my aortic valve replacement in Brighton I got a copy of the report. Now at local hospital it is difficult to get answers and never the same person. Last time I asked the person doing it if my AF showed while she was doing it. Reply: What's AF? I venture, irregular heart beat and she replies that I have that.

I then asked how long have you been doing this and she says for six years.