watchman replaces Coumadin ?

[ctyguy]

Saw this the other day, thought those who suffer a-fib might find it interesting. Not much really on this specific article. Has anyone else stumbled across this ?

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/03/30/cardiology-confab-roundup-drugs-stents-more/

 

[geebee]

Yeah - but:

"The Watchman was at least as good as warfarin as preventing strokes, but the procedure to implant the Watchman led to strokes in some patients, the Associated Press reports. There were also more complications and side effects with the device than with warfarin." ​

Sounds a little scary to me. I guess I could see it as a possibility for someone who is not already on warfarin but it sure doesn't sound like a reason to switch.

 

[ctyguy]

Im with you, I wouldn't switch. But I found the article and wanted to see if anyone else had even heard of it before.

 

[Blanche]

I agree with geebee

I agree with geebee

I see this as alot scary!!! And,it has already caused strokes in some folks!!! Toprol XL is doing just a fine job for me. And, the side effects are manageable for me.

So, I am still singing the song, "Coumadin is a friend of mine. I drink it down, not with a little glass of wine, but with a big glass of water."

Blanche

Thanks for posting this, Ctyguy. It was interesting reading. Could be they will work the bugs out of this and it might be good for some folks.

 

[Bryan B]

The Watchman sounds like a great idea for someone with chronic a-fib and no other reason to need Coumadin. It does sound like they need to improve the device before the FDA approves it and it hits the market. I can definitely see the appeal it would have for a-fib patients if they can minimize the chance of having a stroke during implantation and reduce complications and/or side effects. It's great though that medical companies seem to be focusing a lot of their efforts on coming up with innovative technologies that may benefit heart patients in the future with less invasive procedures and less reliance on medications.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

My local Coumadin Clinic is participating in a study of a New Anti-Coagulant Drug (I forgot it's name) that is supposed to work similar to Coumadin BUT have fewer / lesser interactions with other medications. They are still recruiting 'volunteers'. (I declined but am hopeful this works out

 

[Ross]

Want to make Coumadin safer? Get these darn doctors educated about dosing. It's as simple as that. If we can do it by ourselves, why can't they figure it out?

 

[Marty]

Want to make Coumadin safer? Get these darn doctors educated about dosing. It's as simple as that. If we can do it by ourselves, why can't they figure it out?

My wifes cardiology group like self testing with INRatio and Coaguchek but demand that results be called in and dose prescribed by special warfain nurses.( medico legal they say). This is working out OK. These nurses are good. I prescribe the dose for Alice and the nurses rarely vary a milligram from me. I guess thats why I think they are good.!

 

[Ross]

My wifes cardiology group like self testing with INRatio and Coaguchek but demand that results be called in and dose prescribed by special warfain nurses.( medico legal they say). This is working out OK. These nurses are good. I prescribe the dose for Alice and the nurses rarely vary a milligram from me. I guess thats why I think they are good.!

Marty it's fine if they know what to do, but most of us encounter complete numbskulls out here. I wouldn't know how to act if you could walk up to any qualified medical professional and get the same answer from every one of them. As it is, it's really like some are throwing darts at a board and hoping to hit it right.