Flecainide: Hi ! Has anybody come... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,401 members38,736 posts

Flecainide

15 Replies

Hi ! Has anybody come across any research on the effect of flecainide and atrial remodelling ? Does it prevent further remodelling ?

Andy

Read more about...
15 Replies

The answer is no, but my Cardiologist was keen to put me on a maintenance dose of Flecainide to prevent AF between cardioversion and ablation and that was to prevent any new pathways developing......

Can’t seem able to edit, was going to add it stopped AF, so I assume it worked!

in reply to

Ok thanks I am on it and it has stopped my af completely so I was wondering if it helped reduce atrial size (mine is mildly dilated due to af but borderline normal )

Andy

in reply to

As far as I know, it should reduce to it’s original size but others with more knowledge will hopefully comment

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to

Yes if AF is terminated atrium may reduce to normal size. It is not the drug doing this. It happens.

Thanks seems logical that it does ! I will discuss at my next review and post what my cardiologist says !

endoman profile image
endoman

I saw an article on doing ablation to an afib heart and then being able stop taking meds, but a cardiologist friend of mind was not keen on doing ablation, unless meds are not controlling it and it is the last resort thing to do. I do not know anything about what "remodelling" is or means in regard to afib. I have been afib free since I started flecainide in Oct 2015.

F-M-C-MM profile image
F-M-C-MM in reply toendoman

According to some experts who have carried out reports on ablation versus medication, ablation should be offered as a first line of approach particularly to young people who may not want to spend a lifetime on drugs. I am given to understand it is no longer a last resort but a viable alternative offering quality of life to the A Fib patient. There are risks attached but medication can cause all sorts of problems also Endoman.

in reply toendoman

Remodelling is structural changes to the heart caused by irregular beats which makes AF move from intermitent to permanent! Least that's my understanding !

AIW58 profile image
AIW58

Hello I’m new to this forum. Saw a cardiologist 3days ago who is starting me on Flecainide daily (waiting for a scan first to be sure coronary arteries ok) . He also put me on wait list for ablation. He said ablation is what he would have but in the UK meds have to be tried first. It’s a longish wait for ablation hence meds. He explained that the more episodes of AF you have the more used to being in AF the heart becomes. (The remodelling referred to). I currently get an episode about once a week that lasts 1-3 hours. Only in the late afternoon interestingly. I’ve stopped alcohol, increased fluid intake and take Mg. Can’t say if it helps because I don’t want to experiment and see if I get more episodes. I have a friend who just uses Flec as a pill on the pocket. I’m going to advise her to get seen again and maybe a daily dose would be better. I’m not on an anticoagulant as low risk (score of 1 as a female) according to doc.

in reply toAIW58

Flecainide works well least for me anyway not many side effects bit more tired but otherwise ok can still exercise on it but agree ablation probably the best route am waiting for one !

Icenae profile image
Icenae in reply toAIW58

Interesting. My daughter has had very similar experience recently. She was offered 2 dates for ablations quickly. First no good as you have to be anti coagulated for 4 weeks prior. Next one she was on holiday. So now taken off list !!! H

Spoiler profile image
Spoiler

My heart in the beginning was borterline enlarged, after afib being controlled, it is normal size. I have taken propafenone, flecainide etc. the staying in NSR is the reason for returning to normal size from my understanding, not directly from the drugs, but from staying in NSR.

in reply toSpoiler

That's interesting ! I have mild left ventricular hypertrophy they think due to previous high BP and borderline dilated left atrium I think due to the AF ! I am hoping that the flecainde will reduce these issues before they go worse ! I got rid of the BP by losing 20lbs in weight and its now well within range about average 125/75

dmack4646 profile image
dmack4646

Have been one Flecanaide foe 10 years - stress test at outset and every 3 years no remodelling no side effect at current dose 2 X 50 mg

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Preparing Q's on Flecainide for cardiologist check-up this month, can you help?

So appealing to any long term Flecainide users and those that have weaned off or tried to reduce...
secondtry profile image

Abalation concerns update

Hi everyone again, last week I asked for advice on an upcoming abalation procedure I was due to...
Andyb7612 profile image

Tachycardia causes AF?

Just came across an interesting article with the hypothesis that sustained high heart rate may...
saulger profile image

Remodelling of the heart

One of the things the consultant said to me was that if you have repeated episodes of Afib, the...

Flecainide

So I am now on Flecainide twice a day 100 mg. I was on it for two months after the cardioversion...
Slim2018 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.