A.S.D. Hole in the heart and A.F.

[beryl007]

any one have this condition out there...I am 70 years old and would like to hear from any one with this condition...

[howesgilly]

I have an extremely small insignificant one. They state it's nothing to do with my AF and would have been picked up long before now if it was anything to worry about.

I am 43

[Alil]

I had a hole in the heart closed when I was 28. When I developed AF 2 years ago (and 25 or so years later) they discovered a residual hole. My AF was caused either by original hole or the surgery or both. I am awaiting an ablation so the good news is they don't have to make a new hole!

[CDreamer]

When I had my ablation they found a hole - was very useful as they didn't have to punch a hole through the septum. It has no significance to the AF. one fifth of the population has a hole in the heart but most are not picked up. If you have suffered from migraines throughout your life - there maybe a link. An echo and TOE failed to pick up mine.

[beryl007]

I have been told I have large hole in heart and have to have surgery for hernia Have been told I am in high risk and I am afraid...

[10gingercats in reply to beryl007]

Well , I am not a doctor.But hernia(unless it is strangulated) is not an emergency and not as I understand it likely to put you in high risk catergory.The 'thing' they insert into your heart via a small hole in your groin to close the hole(do look it up on various websites) is 'measured to the hole size....or so I was told. The device is slowly trawled up your artery until in place......You can now get a referral to any uk hospital from any place in the uk.You do not have to 'be sent' at the behest of your doctor to the place he wants to send you to.I do not know where you live but I think/it sounds to me, that you do not have enough info. yet to make an informed decision.If money allows you can go private.....and to an NHS hospital....but try your best to get the NHS to do it. I did. Please feel free to get back if I can help further.

[beryl007 in reply to 10gingercats]

thanks so much, will get more info. unfortunately the hernia I Have is called Speglian very unusual, nothing on show just very bad pain andsometimes and could be dangerous.. ..op. they say is no problem just the anesthetic...What I shall do now is get more info. about this hole and see about repair if possible, then I would have no problem; Will see cardiologist as soon as possible, a different one for second op. Thanks again..... Beryl

[10gingercats in reply to beryl007]

I think one of the things you need to find out is why the docs. seem reluctant to close the hole in your case.I was strongly encouraged to go for it....I was not too enthusiastic. I had had a very tiny TIA while waiting for the op.It was explained that the blood clots we all have racing around have a clear passage through a hole...not good....the clots should be filtering through and breaking up not rushing through a gap.The more info. you have the better prepared you will be.

[10gingercats]

Hello Bery. I had this in 2008.Had an op. for the hole in the heart....not open heart surgery. Still got AF and take,now, Apixaban although I started off with Warfarin....What more would you like to know. My hear op.t was very successful. I woke up the next day feeling so full of energy. I was 72 at the time and Oliver Ormerod at The John Radcliffe Oxford did the op. a lovely man I rec.him if you are anywhere in the area.

[mandysmith34]

Yup. Am 52. Had a repaired AVSD in 1968 but they didn't do a very good job of it!!!! Recently had my mitral valve replaced, been dodgy since birth and got a small hole and another dodgy valve somewhere too!!!!! Had AF for about 10 years. Had various procedures and medications and now have a pacemaker. Wish I could say it does the trick. AF is now just slower but still there . Had a bout of it now for about 4 weeks - irregular pulse, up to about 120 bpm with very little provocation and quite breathless. Am off sick from work again which I think they're getting pretty fed up about.