Why is it never simple.....!

[Jollies]

So, have seen my consultant today. He says that for a pvi to stand more of a chance of success then I need to be in nsr, so he proposes to cardiovert me. If this is successful then he will perform pvi. However as my heart has proved to be slightly stubborn ( some may say I am too) if this cardio version is unsuccessful then I will be loaded with amiodarone and then he will try cardio version again. If nsr is maintained I get pvi, if not........well that will be two attempts and it looks like it could be a pacemaker. I am willing to try again to improve my quality of life but have had 2 cardio versions, first one didn't work at all, second one I was loaded with amiodarone and it lasted 3 weeks. Must admit not looking forward to going down the amiodarone route.

[Hidden]

Hi, I too have had 2 cardiovertions. My first in 2010. Worked for about 2 months. Second time they killed me 4 times (stoped my heart) Didn't work, they don't tell you how much that burns your skin? Anyway, the go to thing for these doctors is the Smerf pills Amiodarone or Ablation. I refused both. I like the sun so Smerf pills are out, they have no success rate anyway. The tissue destruction route (Ablation) has a good success rate short term. After 5 years not so good. Seems like doctors first response for every thing is tissue destruction? I have a Twitter page @Atrial_fibrilla , been looking at non ablation alternatives. Ever heard of (GDF11)? Google it, very interesting read. I'm looking for a doctor who will give this a shot (experimentally) with me. Don't give into the ablation unless they can demonstrate long term success.

[BobD Volunteer]

I think to clarify what he is actually saying is that unless you can be cardioverted to NSR then ablation is likely a waste of time. Getting back to NSR shows that your heart is able to work normally even for a few days and amiodarone is often used to try and help this process.

Most EPs I have spoken to seem ambivalent as to NSR or AF at the time of the ablation and some even welcome AF as they do not need to initiate it with drugs to find where it is coming from so I am puzzled by what he said unless there is breakdown in communication along the way.

[Jollies in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob, I was curious, as when I was in a and e the week before , was told by cardiac team no point in cardioverting me as I do not respond to this! I have gone down the whole amiodarone route and was on it for a year after the cardio version and was still in af. I suppose I could give it one shot!

[azriverrat]

I thought to be successful in terms of ablation they only had to work for a very very limited time. Mine didn't hold at all here in US and they did afib ablation.

Think they converted my heart proved it could be then right back to afib. Didn't even try more cardioversions just straight to ablation.

So did it converted even for a minute?