Data on leakage rate - Watchman device.

I’m curious to learn of various resources available that discuss and show data on the leakage rates of the Watchman device, as well as how that is addressed in patients going forward. No leak is ideal, and am curious how EPs handle leak rates.

It seems standard protocol post-Watchman procedure, is for most patients to come off of blood thinners. A TEE would be able to detect any leakage, but would be interested in knowing what the monitoring methods are to detect possible leakage in the months and years to follow? For Watchman patients following what appears to be standard protocol of dropping blood thinners, it seems to potentially put at risk a certain percentage of patients,, if they’re unaware of their Watchman leaking.

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Chuck Connors
I’m curious to learn of various resources available that discuss and show data on the leakage rates of the Watchman device, as well as how that is addressed in patients going forward. No leak is ideal, and am curious how EPs handle leak rates.

It seems standard protocol post-Watchman procedure, is for most patients to come off of blood thinners. A TEE would be able to detect any leakage, but would be interested in knowing what the monitoring methods are to detect possible leakage in the months and years to follow? For Watchman patients following what appears to be standard protocol of dropping blood thinners, it seems to potentially put at risk a certain percentage of patients,, if they’re unaware of their Watchman leaking.

The protocol varies with different EP’s though Boston scientific does recommend scans at six weeks, six months and one year, as I remember. However, I am a patient of Dr. Natale and he wants another scan at two years as he has seen a few clots develop that late. He wants the first scan to be a TEE but after that you can choose a CT with contrast. He also does not take you off anticoagulants immediately though he reduces the dose – my dose of Eliquis was cut in half at the time of implantation. At six months he reviews the anticoagulant situation but usually does not recommend entirely going off them, but rather gives a choice of a continued half dose of Eliquis, a baby aspirin every other day or, if your history warrants it, discontinuing. I am choosing to continue with a half dose of Eliquis, at least at this time, which is one year out from implantation.

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Daisy

The protocol varies with different EP’s though Boston scientific does recommend scans at six weeks, six months and one year, as I remember. However, I am a patient of Dr. Natale and he wants another scan at two years as he has seen a few clots develop that late. He wants the first scan to be a TEE but after that you can choose a CT with contrast. ..

I had a telehealth call on Monday with Dr. Natale and asked him about the scan at 2 years. He told me that applied to folks who chose to take only the baby aspirin. He said I was ok because I remained on the half dose Eliquis.

I had my Watchman Flex Plus implanted April 11 at St David's by Natale.

Tomorrow I go to Montifiore in the Bronx for a TEE with Dr Di Biase, day 48.
I need to temporarily get off Xerelto maybe for a week for a biopsy, then will restart a low dose 10mg again.

Natale did tell me at my bedside visit I can stop Xarelto in two weeks April 25 and restart it again after the biopsy.

I waited to make sure I have no leaks, tomorrow I'll find out.

Bill Walton died today of prostate cancer , RIP....truly a dominate force in Basketball brought the Celtics in 1986 another championship.


McHale



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/2024 10:28PM by McHale.

I did not have a watchman device, but a "traditional" LAA closure 16 years ago. A recent cardiac CT scan indicated that I had no leaks and it was still closed. EP said the surgeon did a good job. I do not have to take Eliquis if I do not want to, but recommended baby aspirin if I wanted to take something.

Had my TEE a few hours ago, preliminary notes: Normal TEE and no Leaks within the device

McHale