Safety/Technical

I have a patient with an implanted loop recorder and Watchman device. Is it safe to treat with HBOT at 2.0 ATA.

Posted: 7/3/24

Q: I have a patient with an implanted loop recorder and Watchman device. Is it safe to treat with HBOT at 2.0 ATA.

A: 

The committee would be glad to assist you in answering your question, but please realize that the ultimate responsibility for these types of questions rests with the medical director and safety director of your facility.

Loop recorder:
In cases of undocumented medical devices where little is known of the device, we cannot unequivocally recommend it’s allowance in the chamber. Without knowing the manufacturer, make or model of the device, testing the device does not seem feasible. A proper risk assessment of the device would also be difficult to accomplish. You may wish to discuss removal of the device with the patient if there is an urgent/emergent need for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or the benefit of therapy is deemed to be prodigious.

Watchman device:
This device is similar in design and purpose to other types of cardiac stents. The particular difference is that this implant helps to reduce clotting in a specific region of the heart known as the left atrial appendage. Patients with atrial fibrillation may benefit from the use of this implant by reducing the risk of stroke due to clots that tend to form in this area of the heart.

Several members of the Safety Committee have indicated that there are no overt concerns raised that would prohibit a patient with a cardiac Watchman Implant from receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.  One of the committee members consulted Boston Scientific and spoke with their representatives. They confirmed that “There are no issues with the Watchman and HBO therapy”. Additionally, the committee consulted a cardiovascular specialist who is familiar with this implant, who agreed with this conclusion. Therefore the UHMS Safety Committee sees no reason to withhold hyperbaric oxygen therapy from a patient due to the presence of a cardiac Watchman implant.

Respectfully,

The UHMS Safety Committee

DISCLAIMER

Neither the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) staff nor its members are able to provide medical diagnosis or recommend equipment over the internet.  If you have medical concerns about hyperbaric medicine you need to be evaluated by a doctor licensed to practice medicine in your locale, which can provide you professional recommendations for hyperbaric medicine based upon your condition. The responsibility of approving the use of equipment resides with the physician and safety director of the facility.  Information provided on this forum is for general educational purposes only.  It is not intended to replace the advice of your own health care practitioner and you should not rely upon it as though it were specific medical advice given to you personally.