AF Association FAQ

We are in the process of reviewing our Frequently Asked Questions booklet, and would like your input. Are there any questions that you would like answered that aren't covered in our present one? The present booklet can be viewed here:

heartrhythmalliance.org/fil...

[Rellim296]

Do we have an Advance Directive template to be filled in according to one's personal wishes as regards resuscitation?

[Hidden in reply to Rellim296]

Thank you for your enquiry. We do not have that form here, we would suggest that you discuss this with your GP or consultant.

[Rellim296 in reply to Hidden]

It wasn't so much an enquiry - it was a suggested question.

[Hidden in reply to Rellim296]

Apologies. I will put this suggestion forward to the editor. Many thanks.

[Rellim296 in reply to Hidden]

Given that with AF there is a risk of stroke resulting in incapacity, it surely makes sense to be able to declare one's personal wishes in advance and when I did some research a while ago I found several organisations had templates with statements with which one could agree or not according to one's preferences. I thought people might ask if one was available.

[BobD Volunteer]

Great idea Rellim!

[HastyHeart]

Have only very quickly read through the booklet and one bit of info, or lack of it, stood out. That is, the briefest mention of the NOACS compared to Warfarin. NOACS now considered to be superior to Warfarin (also described wrongly in booklet as a blood thinner!). So I would like to see a question along the lines of,"If I would like to change to a NOAC, what is the best way to go about it?" Note: some GPs reluctant to prescribe a NOAC on the grounds of cost. So a question on how to deal with that reluctance. Oh, and a question on "What is a NOAC, and the different ones?"

Found booklet informative but "old-fashioned".

[Hidden in reply to HastyHeart]

Thank you for your input. Some valid points there. The booklet is out of date, which is why we are reviewing it. I will put your suggestions forward to the editor.

[pottypete1 in reply to HastyHeart]

This is an interesting point and worth discussing.

However, from personal experience I think any information should point out that there are no tests to prove whether a patient has been taking his NOACS drug in a particular situation.

I am on Warfarin. Back in January I had a bad accident slipping on a wet path with a bottle in my hand. When my hand hit the path the bottle shattered cutting the palm of my hand so badly that it severed the main artery in my hand.

My neighbour rushed me to the local A&E(ER) at the General Hospital and it took nearly 2 hours with controlled tourniquets to bring the bleeding under control as it was so hard to apply the correct pressure to my hand with dressings. A doctor held my hand tight and high for at least 1½hours. Two days later I had 3 hours of microsurgery to repair my hand.

Being on Warfarin I was bleeding badly as you can imagine. After checking my INR the doctors administered Vitamin K to reverse the effect if the anticoagulant Warfarin.

In the weeks that followed I had a meeting with my cardiologist about my AF and regarding the Warfarin. He said that the new NOACS drugs were very good but an issue of note was that the coagulation level when using such drugs could not be measured in the same way as the INR with Warfarin.

This leads onto Ablations where I am told to make sure my INR is between 2 & 3. I am not sure how they can measure this when on NOACS drugs

The moral is not to slip on the path and to discuss all options fully with your Cardiologist.

[Varina8]

question to AFA,

IF one has a pace maker, like me a dual chamber pm, is an electrical cardioversion possible? Are there instructions somewhere in internet for the procedure? ( I am travelling a lot, mostly in Europe). Or is only chemical cardioversion possible? And with what medicin? I have been taking propafenone 150mgx3 for 2 1/2 years. I have Very symptomatic PAF, which has so far spontaneously turned to sinusrytm after 3-15 hours, but lately have had PAF periods of 30-34 hours. So I'm wondering and preparing for a possible AE visit somewhere for a cardioversion.

Ritva

[Hidden in reply to Varina8]

Thank you for your enquiry, I apologise for the delay in responding. We would suggest that you discuss this with your consultant as we do not know the device, your medical history etc.

[398emb]

The symptom which led to my seeing my GP was a sharp increase in Urine production (1litre/hr) as I was about to fall asleep, and a need to urinate frequently! I mentioned that my heart also seemed to be beating rapidly, but this was put down to the "shock" of suddenly waking up and racing to the bathroom! This was misinterpreted by my GP as a UTI, but that specialist eventually referred me to the Cardiologist! He told me that this is a fairly uncommon but known symptom, and that my experience was not atypical. Is there some way of mentioning this as a symptom in the booklet? It could make more GPs think AF when presented with a high urine output and raised heart rate, just as one falls asleep!!

[Wightbaby]

i agree with needing more information of this for GP's

A few of my AF buddies and myself, have this symptom..............Every 20 minutes or so for me!!...............I read somewhere that its the heart getting rid of some chemical or other ...I think...

Frequency and amount of urine passed was one of my main symptoms along with the racing heart, when I had episodes....I am permanent now, so don't get them anymore!!

I would put money on ,that my GP would have suggested a UTI if i had gone to the surgery about this!! : (

[howesgilly]

I haven't seen the booklet, but as Bob constantly informs people and it seems to happen to alot of us...what about the migraine aura symptoms post ablation.

The knowledge that temporarily your arythmia may be worse for a week or two post ablation is also helpful to know.

Also post cardioversion re burns or irritation to the pads. I didn't have burns I have allergy to the pads come up.