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Injuries reported during Watchman implantation due to improper ventilation

Posted by Daisy 
Injuries reported during Watchman implantation due to improper ventilation
August 08, 2025 09:50PM
[www.aboutlawsuits.com]

Anyone know more about this?
Re: Injuries reported during Watchman implantation due to improper ventilation
August 09, 2025 01:05AM
It's somewhat alarming, although context and perspective need to be taken into account. How many Watchmen have been implanted, and what is the balance of failures by comparison? Do most of these problems happen with a narrow subset of the same surgeons? Is manipulation and technique at play here more than equipment failure (ie, training and quality control thereafter)?
Re: Injuries reported during Watchman implantation due to improper ventilation
August 09, 2025 08:33PM
Physicians are being warned that sedated patients have a higher risk of air bubbles entering the heart, which can be extremely dangerous. This risk can be lowered by using a breathing machine that gently pushes air into the lungs, known as positive pressure ventilation.
To help prevent this problem, doctors should make sure patients are not dehydrated or have low blood volume, especially if they are not using a breathing machine that helps regulate pressure.
When inserting the Watchman heart device, the tube, or sheath, should be kept below heart level or submerged in fluid to stop air from getting inside. To avoid creating suction, tools should be removed slowly and device changes should be timed with the patient’s exhale.


It’s possible to encounter dehydration if they are given instructions of nothing by mouth and have a late in the day procedure.. I also speculate air bubbles can occur from other procedures as well such as pacemaker implants.. Is the “tube” the catheter? If so then an ablation can have the same potential air bubbles if the EP doesn’t submerge in fluid. Iatrogenic hiccups occur in any procedure, cardiac to even a simple skin biopsy.
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