Blood Thinners

[Jennywren2953]

I was wondering if anyone knows about how you can stop taking blood thinners. I believe there is a procedure that is done in America that allows you to discontinue them. I have had pace and ablate and lost my brothers-in-law to a cerebral heamorage last week after 10 years on blood thinners, Drs think was probably the cause. I doubt it’s available in Australia.

[Kaz747]

You are probably talking about the Watchman procedure which is available in Australia as I know someone who has had it done. It is placed in the left atrial appendage to stop clots forming. There seems to be some doctors who favour it whilst others say it’s still not a guarantee- but then anticoagulant drugs reduce the risk of clots and stroke - they don’t totally eliminate the risk.

[Jennywren2953 in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks so much for your reply😀

[CDreamer]

The procedure is called a left atrial appendage closure.

I know this link is a European site but it has a good explanation and video about Wathchman. I think there are a few other devices on the market now which do a similar job.

watchman.com/en-UK/getting-...

[Jennywren2953 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks so much 😀