Have a Date in Austin for Watchman

Yesterday Dr Natale s scheduler sent me the dates for my upcoming TEE and Watchman Device. Feb 16 and 17. So its a TEE one day then Watchman the next providing i guess?? The TEE shows no clots. My LAA was isolated Aug 6. Since ive had no arrhythmias and remain on eliquis and propananol 20/20 ea day. Hopefully Omicron is past its peak by then. Ill wear a spacesuit if i have to. In the notes also is “touchup”. Ill assume if its necessary? Anyway im looking foward to progressing to a possible end game. I will be asking if i can have the 45 day TEE with my EP in Charlotte. Ive alerted Dr Holshouser and hes ready to do it. Ill see what Dr N says

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Poppino
I will be asking if i can have the 45 day TEE with my EP in Charlotte.

Huh? 45 days was in mid-September, almost 3 months ago. The TEE they're doing in February is your 6-month TEE to verify there are no clots present and size your LAA.

I know. I mean the post Watchman TEE to ck for seal. Leaks etc. isnt that 45 days post watchman??

Oh, okay, I misunderstood and got your procedure dates mixed up. You don't even have the Watchman yet.

Yes, 45 days after your Watchman they want a TEE to confirm placement and absence of leaks. I doubt Austin will object to you doing that TEE with your local EP if he has experience evaluating Watchman implants.

The TEE it's rather critical that you fly to Austin for is the one in February. That's the TEE that will determine if you even need a Watchman, and since they're doing it at the same time as the Watchman procedure, it's also to size the device.

But hey, if you're lucky, they'll find you've got excellent flow velocity in and out of your LAA, your E/A ratio meets requirements, and there is no "smoke" seen in the atrium. If that's the case, they'll send you home without a Watchman and without a prescription for Eliquis. You'll be good to go. You have about a 40% chance (probably less) of that happening.

Lol im not counting on that but maybe who knows. Yes Holshouser is watchman experienced

It's great to know you have a date. Maybe I'll hear soon. Dr. N said he hoped to get me scheduled before the end of '21 but with the mess COVID has made of the air transportation system later will hopefully be better.

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Carey
Oh, okay, I misunderstood and got your procedure dates mixed up. You don't even have the Watchman yet.

Yes, 45 days after your Watchman they want a TEE to confirm placement and absence of leaks. I doubt Austin will object to you doing that TEE with your local EP if he has experience evaluating Watchman implants.

The TEE it's rather critical that you fly to Austin for is the one in February. That's the TEE that will determine if you even need a Watchman, and since they're doing it at the same time as the Watchman procedure, it's also to size the device.

But hey, if you're lucky, they'll find you've got excellent flow velocity in and out of your LAA, your E/A ratio meets requirements, and there is no "smoke" seen in the atrium. If that's the case, they'll send you home without a Watchman and without a prescription for Eliquis. You'll be good to go. You have about a 40% chance (probably less) of that happening.

Both Tom and I are getting the watchman with Dr Natale. The difference is his will be in Austin and he will get the TEE the day before while mine will be in CA and the TEE will be done during/just before the watchman implant. I can’t speculate why the TEE schedule of the day before vs during the procedure differs…

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susan.d
Both Tom and I are getting the watchman with Dr Natale. The difference is his will be in Austin and he will get the TEE the day before while mine will be in CA and the TEE will be done during/just before the watchman implant. I can’t speculate why the TEE schedule of the day before vs during the procedure differs…

There's no medical reason. That's just a scheduling thing.

Good luck Tom. Glad to see your able to get the device.