Afib forever

[Auntiejo]

What is more important with afib and flutter- the heart rhythm or the heart rate ? I have been in constant afib and flutter since my ablation on May 18th and I am taking xarelto, flecainide and bisoprolol I also had a cardioversion on the 23rd which lasted for 24 hours and then went back into afib. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Auntiejo

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Auntiejo

Rate in my opinion, I have a fairly normal rate but continuous never out of AF, heart beat sounds like a pair of trainers in a tumble dryer.

Of course symptoms come next, if the flec and the bisoprolol is the only thing keeping your rate down, then you need further treatment, and potentially an ablation. I am very luckily asymptomatic

But the goods news, is that you do cariovert, so the chance of an ablation working is much higher.

Be well

Ian

[Hardjuice in reply to Beancounter]

Hi Ian

I converted twice into normal Rythm a year apart but dropped out days later

I'm in persistent AF but EP

Says because I'm unsystematic he advices against an ablation

I'm ok off drugs done that one for six months felt good to be honest but HR was up and down but I felt ok

Although I'm on them now i have lower limb swellings because of diltyzem

I await a future fix

Freemans doing trials ATM on new kit I'm told

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Actually had a further thought

Rate short term, rhythm long term would be a more accurate answer from me I suspect

Ian

[beardy_chris]

No simple reply, I'm afraid, Auntiejo. It depends! Everybody is different. The clinical data suggests that longevity is not hugely affected by the adoption of rate control or rhythm control strategies, if anything rate control is preferred. So it comes down to how you feel. In general, rhythm control drugs are more "serious"; they have more side effects. So, if you can tolerate odd rhythms, it is often better to employ rate control. If, on the other hand, you are highly symptomatic when out of normal sinus rhythm (NSR) then the priority is to get you back into NSR with cardioversion and/or rhythm control drugs.

So, how do you feel?

[BobD Volunteer]

Professor Schilling in a lecture a few years ago stated that ALL treatment for AF was merely about improving quality of life. There is no difference in outcome between rate and rhythm control . Whatever makes you feel better then is the correct answer to you question.

[CDreamer]

Hi Auntiejo - sorry that happened. I had an ablation in 2013 which made my AF a lot worse, although still paroxysmal not persistent but with very fast rate. The second eliminated all of the symptoms for over 2 years and which have now come back but I am not nearly as symptomatic.

I agree the priority is to try to get you back in sinus rhythm and as it was proved that you could, even for 24 hours, indicates it is possible.

Some good answers above but it is important to be clear of the purpose of your question and I am not.

What is more important........? - in what way? For quality of life?- that is individual. For life longevity? - I don't think there is enough data. For throwing a clot? - bit like throwing a dice. So many unknown, unknowns.

Best wishes

[Hidden]

I'm also not sure on that question. I have permanent afib. But I've also been in a-flutter since last Sunday. My heart rate is sitting at 40bpm and going up and down every few minutes. Ive got low blood pressure on top of that, and I've had a funny turn with mine.

I was in a&e with this 3 weeks ago, but my cardiologist has said that there is nothing else they can do, due to my heart failure and that I need to learn to live with my symptoms.

All I know is I would rather the afib side effects than the flutter ones.

[Auntiejo]

Thanks everyone for your very help ful comments. Auntiejo

[RichMert]

'been in constant afib and flutter since my ablation on May 18th'. Whilst this does not sound encouraging given that you have had the ablation, surely it is too early to tell whether the scars have sufficiently healed to block the path ways. I suspect they will line you up for a 'redo' which should be easier for them if you are in constant AF.

Have you spoken to the surgeon or consultant?