Watchman device/LAA closure RN

Polskijames · Feb 25, 2018

It's a device that is placed in the left atrial appendage. Takes one of three (? If I remember correctly) shapes. It's usually done in the EP lab, but I think it's one of those cross-over things where some interventionalists place it when they finish being proctored. Watchmen allows pts that are at high risk for bleeding events to come off their blood thinners, and in a short amount of time after the procedure. There's some other ways to solve the LAA problem...check Lariet procedure. It's also ligated during valve replacements. It's prettycool actually, although I've heard some physicians debate it's efficacy. I recently spoke with a patient coming in for a LHC who had the watchman, and his understanding of this device was that he shouldn't have any blockages because it "took care of that sort of thing"....I had to explain to him what his device was built to do, and structural is different from vascular, etc. sounds like some pts are in need of more teaching, wouldn't want anyone to stop the wrong anticoagulant.

NEnglish · Apr 1, 2018

My floor takes Watchman. They are placed in our cath lab and then we follow the same protocol as we would with any post procedure cath with femoral access.

English, RN BSN

redneknurse · Apr 19, 2018

Our cath lab places the Watchman, and post care is in CICU for now .

MunoRN, RN · Apr 28, 2018

Ours stay in an observation unit overnight, get a TEE in the morning, then go home.

EmilyP8589 · May 4, 2018

I work in an EP lab at an academic hospital. We put them in. Two venous sheaths, transseptal approach. They are helarinized in the left atrium and we close the groin with a figure of eight suture after protamine is given. We keep them overnight to watch for any tamponade physiology and groin complications. Suture is removed in AM and they are discharged.

They can be a booger to implant, depending on the patient anatomy but they are great for patients who have a contraindication to anticoagulants.

heatherp46 · Jul 8, 2018

Yes, I am the afib navigator and Watchman Coordinator for my hospital. We have performed over 100. I would be happy to help you with any questions you may have.