Watchman procedure

[dgilyde]

Has any one had the Watchman procedure to prevent strokes and eventually get off blood thinners.

[BobD Volunteer]

Here in UK this is not a normal option and at best is only available where other health issues makes anticoagulation inadvisable.

[CDreamer]

Several posters in the US have done so but as Bob says you must meet strict NICE criteria to qualify in the UK.

Also - having read the MedPub article on the function of the LAA I’m not sure I would want one unless there were really good medical reasons for not be able to take A/Cs.

[seasider18]

If you are in the UK you can have it done privately at many hospitals.

I had an Amplatzer amulet nearly five years ago that is similar but has a wider range of sizes. It cost about £10K in Brighton (more in London) at that time my surgeon had done over a hundred of them. There was previously a trial of them at ten UK hospitals.

dicardiology.com/content/am...

[dgilyde in reply to seasider18]

Thank you for your response. I’m in the US. My electrophysiologist mentioned it after I told him that I was taking Eliquis 5 mg only once a day because I am concerned about bleeding and he said that I was endangering myself for a stroke.

[seasider18 in reply to dgilyde]

American companies test their products worldwide before offering them to the home market

As well as Watchman and Amplatzer there are several other products becoming available as it is a vast market. Google each of the products and left atrial appendage and you will find much to read.

I hated Warfarin and there are mixed opinions of NOACs for patients like me who have had aortic valve replacements.

After the Amlatzer was fitted I was on Eliquis for a month and coated aspirin for three months. As with all procedures just make sure you have a surgeon with plenty of experience. Contact each of the makers as you might be able to get a place on one of the trials starting in America.

[dgilyde in reply to seasider18]

Thank you for your response