Failed cv

[Edm174]

Hello I had my first cv last Monday and it was successful!! But 2 days later I was back in AF ! Now I am in a panic as to what the next step is ???

Thank you for any advise !!!

[etheral]

Preloading with Dofetilide for 3 days in the hospital and continuing on it worked for me after initia CV lasted 3 days. It's been 6 months nowl

[Edm174 in reply to etheral]

Thank you for your reply !! Glad it worked for you !!!

[jeanjeannie50]

How long were you in AF before you had your cardioversion? Hopefully you will find that you will go back into normal rhythm again fairly soon, that's what has happened to me many times in the past. Are you taking any medication?

It may be an idea to let the hospital where you had your procedure know.

Jean

[Edm174 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hello jean thank you for getting back to me !! I take 5mg Bisoprorol and 5mg apixipan started in AF in November been to doctors today he said heart irregular and have ecg booked for Friday but I’m breathless again so I know it’s back !!!

Eileen

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Eileen, I'm sorry your AF is back and affecting your breathing. I've had it for at least 13 years and have learned a lot over that time. The most important things I've discovered are it won't kill you and to try not to worry, or that will keep you in AF for sure. At times I felt sure I would die or have a stroke, but am still here as are many others on this site.

Does your heart race when you're in AF?

Jean

[Edm174 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi jean the strange thing is it doesnt race too much ? It was the tiredness when walking which flagged it as i like to walk a lot !! I do try and get on with life the best I can !!!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Edm174]

Hi Eileen

I've always been a keen walker too, but can't manage steep hills now when in AF, can only just manage the flat. Disappointing, for us isn't it! I always saw myself retiring and joining lots of rambling groups and all my holidays used to involve long countryside walks. Now I've got to know lots of walks that are more or less level, or where I can get a bus part of the way. I'm too afraid to go out with groups in case my AF starts and I spoil the day, so try to walk with friends.

I suppose we have to be thankful that AF is all that we have as there are a lot worse things.

Wishing you well

Jean

[Edm174 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you jean ! I’m off back to work does help and takes my mind if things plus it’s a nice little walk too but not today I’m the rain ☔️

Have a nice day

Eileen

[Hidden]

It really depends on what your Doctor suggests as the best route forward. Some may suggest a further CV but with medication before and after in attempt to maximise the time in rhythm. Although 2 days may not seem very long, if you felt significantly better whilst in rhythm and if your heart is in reasonably good shape, your EP may well suggest an ablation. Many on the forum have had a significant number of CV's, but often they revert to AF in time and the periods of rhythm can reduce progressively. The important think is that you did go back into rhythm, albeit for a relatively short period....hope this helps.

[Edm174]

Hello flapjack the good news is my heart is healthy no under lying issues that’s why after the cv i hoped it would just go back to normal !!! Got ecg on Friday so willl know for sure .....

Eileen

[Scottymac6]

My first CV failed and I was then put on Amiodarone in addition to the same drugs you are on. My first CV was in December and the second was at the end of January. I had two attempts the second time and returned to normal rhythm. 3 days later I was back in AF. 4 days after that while walking I could feel my heart go back into normal rhythm and have stayed there for 50+ days. I did come of Bisoprolol when advised but had to keep on with the amiodarone in the short term. I was advised I would need to have an ablation to correct in the long run.

[lizzie16 in reply to Scottymac6]

I have been advised to take Amiodorone before a selective CV and then carry on with Amiodarone for 6 months. Am not too keen as there appears to be many unpleasant side effects. I would be interested to know whether you have experienced any side effects and how long you have been told to take Amiodarone for after your last CV.

[bennie06 in reply to lizzie16]

I am on same journey. Had a CV in Jan which lasted 4 days. Now on Amiodarone with CV scheduled in 3 weeks time. Also on Bisoporol and Digoxin but so far no serious side effects. Dogs keep me reasonably exercised sometimes get concerned with mental state. Apparantly Amiodarone alone can reset rhythm but not a high success rate. Good luck.

[lizzie16 in reply to bennie06]

Thank you. On advice of GP I’ve just started to take Sotalol instead of Amiodarone with CV to come. Hopefully it will help but will have to wait and see. Good luck with your upcoming CV - hope you have a good outcome.

[Scottymac6 in reply to lizzie16]

I was advised firstly not to google Amiodarone lol! My consultant always said that my CV although successfull after the second attempt would not last so looked to plan for Ablation. Taking in the time scales I have been on Amiodarone since December and hope to have the ablation sometime in the next two months? Amiodarone was always going to be a short term thing in his plan I think but it was to a means to keep me in rhythm until the procedure. I have had really itchy skin which is irritating but no bad side effects. I have been carefull and used sun cream on sunny days even although it’s winter/spring. I suppose the question is, what happens after your six months of use?

[lizzie16 in reply to Scottymac6]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I’ve googled Amiodarone to the nth degree and on advice of GP have decided to try Sotalol first. If I do have to take Amiodarone I’ll try to delay it until the end of the summer. When the good weather comes (ha ha!) I love to be outside. I live by the sea and beach walks are the best - albeit a lot slower now the AFib curse has descended! I’m glad you had no bad side effects on Amiodarone and good luck with your ablation.

[Scottymac6 in reply to lizzie16]

Hope it all works out for you Lizzie. If you want to discuss just let me know. Thank you

[lizzie16 in reply to Scottymac6]

Many thanks Scotty. This is my 2nd day on Sotalol and have got nearly every side effect there is. Serves me right for being ‘chicken’ for not taking Amiodorone. Hopefully the side effects will wear off in the next couple of weeks, but never mind - onwards!

[Scottymac6 in reply to lizzie16]

Sorry to hear Lizzie. Hope things get better for you. As you say, onwards!

[bennie06 in reply to Scottymac6]

The general rule is to have a blood test Every 3 Months. I'm with you with the sun block but so far the weather has not been a sun worshiper's paradise! Good luck.

[Edm174]

Thank you for your reply wonder if that’s the next step for me !!

[WendyWu20]

Maybe it will help to look at the bigger picture? I had a cardioversion over a year ago and like you, only lasted two days before being back in AF. I had really bad episodes twice a week.

However, now I've made lifestyle changes like losing weight, only eating healthy foods, managing my known triggers, meditating to stay positive and getting the right meds for me - I only have AF every three weeks. Hoping to get even better.

Good luck with finding the management strategies that work for you :o)

[Edm174]

Thank you Wendy i have always tried to live a healthy lifestyle never smoked don’t eat meat usually walk everywhere and still working for as long as I can ! Ian 60 this month AF not a good present!!!

[dmac4646]

If you’re heart is fine ask about Flecanaide or other rythm drug

[Mugster]

Hi edm174

My experience has been identical as yours.Persistent AF with no real symptoms other than very tired legs

Same medication as you. CV last Sept also put me into NSR for only two days.

My arrhythmia nurse suggested amiorodone and another CV but on reading about the side effects I didn't really fancy that. However my EP had already approved an ablation if the CV didn't work so I decided to be patient and wait for that. The waiting list here is 9 months and am booked in for the operation early May.

I suggest you get an appointment with your EP asap to discuss the next steps

Good luck!😊

[cuore in reply to Mugster]

I interpret that you will be in persistent AF for nine months before your ablation is done. You might want to read the findings of Michael Haissagurre in his 2014 AF symposium presentation:

afsymposium.com/february-2014

Specifically note:

First of all, we have compared different subsets of persistent AF based on continuous AF duration. The number of targeted regions increases with the duration of continuous AF: from three to four in the first six months of AF, four to five in months six to 12 of AF, and six to seven in long-lasting AF.

Thus, you might want to ask, after your ablation, how many targeted regions you had at nine months.

[Edm174]

Hello im glad you are getting sorted !! I go for ecg on Friday and have appointment at hospital 6th may !! Not sure what ablation is will have to read up about it!!! Good luck with your AF journey !

Eileen