Watchman

[Gailrau]

Has anyone heard about the watchman device?

[jeanjeannie50]

I think a few people on here have. If you type Watchman in the 'search AF Association' box at the top right of this page it will show you all the posts regarding it.

Welcome to the forum.

Jean

[CDreamer]

When you read the replies - just be aware that availability in UK & US differs.

[Angie06]

Hi Gailrau, I was put forward for a watchman device as I'm unable to take anticoagulants due to another condition. It's a left atrial appendage occlusion device to help prevent clots from forming in the left atrial. There's limited funding on the NHS here in the UK but if you're unable to take anticoagulants and meet other health criteria you may be put forward for it like I was. Due to the size of my left atrial I ended up having an Amplatzer amulet device fitted which does the same job but is used more here in the UK and the watchman is more common in the US.

[barabas]

A friend of ours had a different procedure, which accomplishes the same desired end result. Watchman has been around much longer, this is a newer procedure done outside the heart that "ties off" the "offending pocket" of the heart where clots typically form.

Here is a link to an article that describes the procedure and compares to Watchman.

texasheart.org/heart-health...

We live in US, so not sure about availability in Europe, but seems most procedures are available in Europe before the US.