Audrey called. Dr. Natale looked at the TEE I had done in Shreveport LA. He said it was Excellent and I could stop Eliquis and just take a baby aspirin. I am so thankful for this website that I found in 2013.
Shannon, THANK YOU SO MUCH! To all on this website A Big thank you. Jackie, you are a diamond.
Thanks to all. I am lost for words. Dr. Natale is the master of AFIB.
I will take a CT SCAN or a TEE IN 6 months as a follow up but I will go to Austin somehow. 😄

Great news! Congratulations.

Good news! Did they suggest a baby aspirin every day or every other day? When I was cleared after my Watchman he suggested I take 2.5 mg of Eliquis OR a baby aspirin every other day. Wonder if his recommendation has changed in the last couple of years?

Related question -- I had "oversewing" of the part of my atrium that could transmit blood clots (that's how it was explained to me), and a TEE done a few months later showed it to be intact and functioning well. My question is whether it will be obligatory to have a second TEE in order to get a decision about whether I can stop Xarelto or reduce it. I had what I felt to be a very bad response to the initial one, although it only lasted about three days. But I'm hoping I can get an echo instead of an additional TEE. Does anyone have thoughts about that? Thank you!

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Drummer
Related question -- I had "oversewing" of the part of my atrium that could transmit blood clots (that's how it was explained to me),

Was your procedure surgical? By that I mean did a surgeon have physical access to your heart from the exterior? I don't know any other way to interpret "oversewing" and if it was surgical, then I very much doubt any further verification is needed. Once a surgeon has closed your LAA that's generally it for life.

Carey, thanks for replying. I don't know if this answers your question but I had open-heart surgery because of a problematic valve repair. I also got a maze procedure -- seems like the works! I'll ask for more info about "oversewing" at my next appointment. It is wonderful if it is closed for life!
Just want to add that re the TEE, I don't mind a few days of discomfort, but I worry that it could put some kind of stress on my heart that would negatively affect it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2026 11:01AM by Drummer.

Okay, so it was surgical, which means your LAA has been sewn shut and is sealed for life. I wouldn't think they would need a second TEE but if they do, it doesn't put any stress on your heart. It's just an ultrasound wand they put down your esophagus so they can get a much better look at your heart. It only takes about 20 minutes and nothing touches your heart.

Thank you!