Permanent AF

[Flyer2820]

I have just seen the cardiologist last Thursday, after an ecg he now tells me that I am in permanent af as opposed to peroxisomal af. This he says is nothing unusual. However although I have checked myself out regularly and found myself to often be in af, I have not felt ill or could tell. He now recommends that I have the shock treatment to put my heart back into rythm. ( although I think he's already done that by telling me I'm in permanent af) An ablation he tells me is the last resort. Anyone else out there had the same experience?

[Sean_C]

Hi, I had a similar experience to you, as in I had 'permanent' (actually persistent, because the cardioversion - the shock you refer to in your post - put me back in normal rhythm) AFib and the only effects I had was that a) I suddenly couldn't run anywhere near my usual pace as I got tired very quickly, and b) I felt light headed and dizzy if I stood up quickly. The rest of my crappy side effects I suspect were owing to the Bisoprolol they put me on.

Anyway, I have had two cardioversions.... the first put me back in normal rhythm for 5 months, but I think I was being stupid and went back into persistent A Fib again. I then had to wait a few months to have another cardioversion, which was in April this year, and I am now 6 months in normal rhythm.

In my opinion the cardioversion is definitely the way to go to see if it helps you, before the more invasive approach of the ablation. Particularly as the effects of AF on you are very mild, compared to many on this forum.

All the best, whatever you decide to do.

Sean

[Flyer2820 in reply to Sean_C]

Thanks Sean

I will be going for the shock treatment ( Cardioversion) I think it's the first approach as you say. As I said I am not too affected by my af as others are ( or at least not at the moment) so the simplest approach I feel is the best. Doubling the dose of flecainide has not worked so far but then I have only been on the dose for three days so may be to early. If this does work the cardiologist said he would not do the Cardioversion. Here's hoping.

[BobD Volunteer]

Paroxysmal AF is AF which lasts up to seven days but spontaneiously reverts without treatment. Persistent AF remains unless treated either by drugs or cardioversion. Permanent AF just means that you and your doctor have agreed that future treatment is pointless so your doctor is technically is wrong (not uncommon).

Cardioversion (DCCV) is not a cure but signposts doctors to other teartment such as ablation. If DCCV fails to return you to NSR even for a short while then ablation is unlikely to work but if it does then this route is something to carefully consider. Many specialists feel that early intervention by ablation stands the best chance of a good outcome.

If you have not allready seen an electrophysiologist (EP ) then you need to. GPs seldom know enough about AF and general cardiologist are plumbers not electricians in most cases. Ask to see an EP before you decide what to do and then you will have educated advice.