EXCLUSIVE: The Watchman FLX implant offers a potentially lifesaving option for a range of heart patients, particularly those who suffer a condition called AF.
Worth a read : EXCLUSIVE: The Watchman... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Worth a read
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sotolol
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Or is this old news. I’m a bit slow eh?? 🙄👵🏻 and old.
Don’t want be a killjoy, but the Watchman device has been around for some years. In the UK, there have been a relatively small number of procedures carried out and as I understand it, this has only where patients have medically proven reasons for not being able to take anticoagulants. Also, it does not provide total protection because clots can still form in parts of the heart the device does not protect. So unless there has been a dramatic change of thinking and a willingness by the NHS to spend billions they don’t have, things are unlikely to change any time soon.
sotolol• in reply to
Thank you FlapJack in a way I’m relieved as I thought it was to good to be true. Thank you for you info you are very knowledgeable. Told you I was/ am 👵🏻.
Melbuckton• in reply to
Exactly what my Dr said a few weeks ago when I asked...
The headline is somewhat misleading as it doesn’t treat AF and it’s not a lifesaving procedure - it’s a prophylactic procedure for those who cannot tolerate anti-coagulants to reduce risk of stroke for people with AF.
That's the way I see it. An anticoagulant (warfarin) caused potential lethal side effects for me. It's a long story but it led to a blood clot in my eye to leak. And I needed a vitrectomy to restore my eyesight. And I won't mention the gastrointestinal distress leading to internal bleeding. lol
In that case it may well be very helpful for you as you should meet the criteria for NICE guidelines.
Not sure I want to bother. Makes you realise we are all so different. Thank goodness. My mum used to say imagine every one being like me 😱😱😱😱 once when I was having a moan about a sibling. !
avrambaer wow I didn’t know warfarin was that bad. Must of been horrible for you. Thank goodness you ok now. Bless you.
It was no picnic. My new cardiologist wants me to resume anti-coagulant therapy, but there is no way to preview possible problems with the DOACs or NOACs. It's purely trial and error. Once bitten, twice shy. He suggested a Watchman occluder, but that's far from perfect. I'm asymptomatic at present. I am not sclerotic either. I'm not opposed to anti-coagulant therapy philosophically. It is admirable to reduce the chances of a "throwaway clot" to practically zero, but the global statistics of that happening is below the threshold of statistically significant (less than five percent). As any scientist would tell one, "Are we on a wild goose chase?" Anti-coagulant therapy appears to be valid for aFib patients with risk factors other than the essential aFib itself.
The trouble with Wafarin is maintaining a stable INR. Some people find it very easy whilst others almost impossible. It also has a slightly higher risk of bleeds, especially brain bleeds whereas DOACs have a lower risk and because they work entirely differently, it’s easier to predict the efficacy without increasing the bleed risk.
I’ve a lot to learn. Thank you.
I think we all have - and the goalposts change all the time as our body's age, we change our meds, weight, exercise etc and research and clinical trials come on line - just SO much to take into consideration. We are so different and all of us react differently to the same substances which makes dealing with integrated, complex systems so unpredictable.
Look up acqmap
Ok thank you Melbuckton
I’ve just seen the video and read up on it. Amazing what could/can be done. Thank you for that. 🙂
You're welcome
World wide a 100,000 Watchman devices have now been fitted.
I had a different type the Amplatzer amulet fitted three years ago. At that time my EP had already fitted 110. Some of them were part of the trials at ten British centres that I was to late to apply for. Privately it was a well spent £10K. At that time he said that although the trials were successful the NHS had placed a two year moratorium due to cost. The Amplatzer I believe is still awaiting FDA approval. America prefers trials to be on foreigners 
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