Watchman closure device

[tooh]

i would like to ask if there is anyone out there who has been selected for the trial and undergone the procedure for the insertion of the Watchman Closure device. Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated as i am considering this at the moment.

[Hidden]

Hello toon, it would be interesting to know where you are from. Here in the UK, this procedure is not normally offered unless there is medical evidence that a patient is unable to take anticoagulants. This is not the case in the USA and I understand that there may be trials in Australia. Not helpful I know, but that’s my understanding of the situation.

[tooh in reply to Hidden]

Hi FlapJack. I am in Australia. This procedure is still in trial period here although it has been approved in other countries. I have recently had an ablation but also had a severe internal bleed attributed to xarelto resulting in a week in hospital with transfusions. This makes me eligible for the trial. Am scheduled late January if approved. I am looking for responses from people who have had this procedure regarding pros and cons.

[Hidden in reply to tooh]

Unless our American cousins help out, responses may be thin on the ground for the reasons I outlined earlier. As I understand it, the reluctance to perform the procedure is largely related to cost, although there are concerns that clots can still form in other parts of the heart which can still cause problems. Hopefully, you will hear from others who will know more. It might be worth typing in Watchman Device or LAAO into the search box top right of this page. I recall an Australian raised a similar question a month or two back (might have been you😉)

Good luck......

[tooh in reply to Hidden]

Yes. probably from my hospital bed.....

[Angie06]

Hi Tooh, I was put forward for a Watchman device here in the UK 18mths ago due to being unsuitable for anticoagulants. The trials had already been done here and I was one of the few able to go ahead afterwards. I had the procedure at St Bart's but due to sizing issues they decided to fit an Amplatzer amulet device instead. It's pretty much the same thing and prevents the blood pooling in the left atrial appendage where most of the clots form. It was a relatively easy procedure (from patient view) but if you'd like to know more please message me. 😀

[tooh in reply to Angie06]

Hi Angie06. Pleased to hear your procedure went well. What i would like to know is if there is anything you have experienced personally that i need to be aware of that is not explained pre procedure. For example no specialist mentioned the possibility of migraines after ablation or how long they were likely to continue for. Apparently it is fairly common and many on this forum have experienced this. To have known prior would have alleviated a lot of worry .

Were you just in hospital overnight and how long were you out of action?

Thank you for your time

[Angie06 in reply to tooh]

Hi, I was only in hospital overnight and the aftercare was similar to ablation in that I was told to avoid stairs for 24hrs. Unfortunately I had arranged to stay at my son's in London for 2nights afterwards and the bedroom was on the 3rd floor! 🤣 I took it very slowly and once back home no driving for a week or so. Mostly common sense not to overdo things as the wound in your groin also has to heal. I did have ectopics for a few months afterwards as well but not sure if these were due to the procedure or not. 😎

[Salvatore68]

Hi are u considering watchman in place of ablation? Where does ablation fit in?

[tooh]

Hi Salvatore68. No I had an ablation in November 19 which seems to be working at this point but it is early days yet. I was on xarelto and developed a severe gastrointestinal bleed. As i am a high risk for stroke the Watchman is my next option and then may be able to come of xarelto. This procedure is in 2 weeks time.