Flecainide

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

Andy

[Hidden]

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......

[Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden]

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

[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 in reply to endoman]

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.

[Hidden in reply to endoman]

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]

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.

[Hidden in reply to AIW58]

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 in reply to AIW58]

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]

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.

[Hidden in reply to Spoiler]

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]

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