Cardiomegaly with AF

[jsheard]

Hi everybody,I wonder if someone could help me.

I suffer from persistent AF,I recently had a chest X-ray which showed my heart was enlarged (cardiomegaly) the results were CT ratio 18.9 / 33.1

Please can anyone explain what this means .

[Olliemonty58]

I look forward to hearing a reply as I've just been diagnosed with af. Having the stop start on the 2nd. Also having dye run thro to heart as sounds like I'm furred x

[jsheard in reply to Olliemonty58]

Good luck x

[BobD Volunteer]

Do you mean cardiomyopathy which is basically known as enlarged heart? Persistent uncontrolled AF can cause the left atrium to work harder and the muscles get stiff and enlarged hence the condition. It can be reversed either partially or better if the AF is controlled or stopped, for example by ablation.

[Olliemonty58 in reply to BobD]

Sorry the long names go right over my head. Finding it hard to understand the long words. Yes I'm having ablation if that's the stop start on 2nd. I used to be able to walk my dogs but get breathless so find it hard. Consultant thinks furred because of sensation I'm getting in middle of chest .

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Olliemonty58]

Stop start as you call it is actually cardioversion (DCCV) which stands for direct current cardioversion where they give you a shock which hopefully re-aligns the cells in your heart and it goes back to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) . It isn't a cure but can sign post to other treatments. May I suggest that you go to AF Association website and read till you drop as knowledge is power.

[Hidden]

The majority of folk on the forum are not medically trained jsheard therefore it would be better if you discuss this with your doctor. I know you are only seeking opinions, but there are so many different factors which may have an impact on the details of your results. As I understand it however, if you are able to control your AF with either drugs or more invasive treatments, there is a chance the current enlargement can be reversed. Therefore, the sooner you discuss a treatment plan with preferably an EP or a cardiologist, the better.....

[jsheard in reply to Hidden]

It’s called cardiomegaly,my AF is controlled with bisoprolol and warfarin,my GP said the cardiomegaly was caused by blood pressure in the past ,that is stable now and has been for a few years,I just wanted to know what the ratio sizes meant ,thank you all for your replies.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to jsheard]

Cardiomegaly is actually a catch all term which includes dilated cardiomyopathy as well as other forms of the condition. As FJ has suggested you need to discuss the numbers with your treatment team.

[Olliemonty58 in reply to jsheard]

I also have high blood pressure. Consultant increased my tabs. Good luck

[Hidden]

The cardiothoracic ratio relates the maximum width of the heart to the size of the thoracic cavity on a plain frontal chest X-ray. It has limited usefulness. The echocardiogram is much more relevant.