is Watchman necessary? Can someone explain to me re having a Watchman? My cardiologist has never mentioned it but someone I know said I should have it to prevent a stroke (I am on Eliquis but I realize that does not always prevent one). Now I am concerned about this :( https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197780#msg-197780 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:00:19 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197797#msg-197797 Re: is Watchman necessary? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197797#msg-197797 anneh AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:21:42 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197796#msg-197796 Re: is Watchman necessary? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197796#msg-197796 OK, glad we have a common understanding of "isolated". (I hope you can understand why I found that confusing)]]> Searching9 AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:35:05 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197791#msg-197791 Re: is Watchman necessary? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197791#msg-197791
Also for my situation, I convinced the ER doctors to ECV more easily by having my watchman.

It’s a personal choice. Once having a watchman I was able to reduce my Eliquis dose 50%. However a watchman will not help DVT and I recently got my second DVT and my Hemotologist put me back on 5mg BID for life because Eliquis and my watchman didn’t reduce the 2cm clot at 2.5mg BID.

I will say get the best EP for a watchman procedure. A random EP once stopped by my room trying to sell me in getting it. I asked if he had complications. He said he ripped three patients. Honest guy. I later heard he isn’t allowed to insert watchman’s anymore.

I had Dr Natale perform it. He is simply a master. My femoral vein had a sharp curve and he tried for 20 minutes before successfully getting it pass without damage. Then my LAA had an unusual shoulder that was curved and he performed magic. He then did 2 TEEs until he was confident I had no leaks.

Very recently I got an email from his office to get a 2 year Imaging. I think a CT? I never had imaging since my 6 month procedure and being on Eliquis 5mg BID doesn’t motivate me

I recently had a CT with contrast to check if my lungs were free of DVT clots but I was unsuccessful in convincing anyone to check my LAA which is frustrating.

I recommend a watchman if you had your LAA isolated. It’s an easy procedure. I went home 3 hours later.]]> susan.d AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:52:02 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197788#msg-197788 Re: is Watchman necessary? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197788#msg-197788 Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 04 Nov 2024 06:39:43 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197784#msg-197784 Re: is Watchman necessary? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197784#msg-197784
Quote
Cary
Also, there are patients (like me and others here) who are at high risk of stroke by missing even one or two doses because we've had our LAAs isolated

Are you saying that patients who have had their LAA isolated (clipped or ligated) are at an inherently higher risk of stroke as compared to patients who have not had their LAA isolated?]]> Searching9 AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 04 Nov 2024 04:08:58 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197781#msg-197781 Re: is Watchman necessary? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197781#msg-197781
The Watchman was originally developed for people who can't tolerate anticoagulants like Eliquis. It was only a few years ago that if you could tolerate any anticoagulant, you simply weren't eligible for a Watchman. But as time went by and the Watchman became more commonly used, other benefits were recognized. For example, it doesn't increase bleed risk like anticoagulants do, and it eliminates the ongoing cost of anticoagulants, which can be substantial. Also, there are patients (like me and others here) who are at high risk of stroke by missing even one or two doses because we've had our LAAs isolated (most people haven't). And most importantly, it eliminates the problem of non-compliance of patients with their anticoagulants, and the stats on that are pretty dismaying. Upwards of 40% of people taking them eventually stop or become sporadic and unreliable about it.

So slowly but surely insurance companies, Medicare, and non-US public health services started to recognize the benefits and most of them have now come around to covering them if their doctor recommends it.

So talk to your doc about it if it concerns you, but you have no reason to feel you need one.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 04 Nov 2024 03:59:02 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197780#msg-197780 is Watchman necessary? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197780,197780#msg-197780 anneh AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 04 Nov 2024 02:17:33 +0000