Anti coagulants

[Jeanette49]

I am now 3 months post Cryoablation and my heart seems more settled, no crazy rhythm (ectopics) for around 11days and fingers crossed for many more please! My cardiologist told me today that even if this indicates success, or if I have to have the procedure repeated, and I have no more episodes ever, I will have to remain on an anti coagulant (Eliquis) for the rest of my life.

He says the problem is likely to return in the future, and that taking the meds permanently is the only way to extend my life!! I have rarely had any episodes of rapid heartbeat, only sessions of missed beats/erratic rhythm. He said that I could experience this without being aware of it, so therefore need the blood thinner to protect from stroke, but going from my past experience of these episodes which could last from 15 minutes up to 24 or more hours. I can’t see how I would not be aware of them, because the missed/extra beats are so intense.

I had hoped to stop the meds eventually if a glimmer of success was looking likely, but sadly not to be...

😔

[Hidden]

Disappointing as it may be, most of us here would agree with your Doctor. There are a lot who say that even if you never have AF again, if you HAVE had, it means the risk will remain with you for life due to the effect both the AF and the ablation might have on the tissue within the heart.

I guess the only positive way to think is that your Apixaban is significantly reducing the risk of having a very debilitating and life changing stroke. Hopefully, you will have the added bonus of no AF....a good few here would love to be in your shoes.....

[Jeanette49 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack, don’t misunderstand me, if the present situation continues, I will be over the moon, I know it’s still early days, but hopefully the signs are positive 😊

The way you have just explained things, makes a lot of sense, a small price to pay for relative peace of mind.

[Hidden]

you have the same increased risk of stroke if you are in AF or not now I believe.

If your chads2vasc score indicates that you should be anti coagulated then you should

[BobD Volunteer]

There is no evidence that ablation removes stroke risk in AF so whilst not totally accurate in his explanation your doctor is right that your risk remains. Obviously nobody can force you to comgtinue but common sense dictates it. We have several menbers who have been advised by other doctors that they could stop and subsequently went on to have strokes which is not very helpful.

[Jeanette49 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for the advice Bob, invaluable as always.

I shall continue with the Eliquis indefinitely then. I did mean to ask if aspirin might be an acceptable alternative, but I forgot! 🥴

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Jeanette49]

Absolutely not. It has very little benefit but lots of risk and was "unreccomended "by NICE in 2014.

[Jeanette49 in reply to BobD]

Okey dokey, that’s my question answered...thanks again Bob.

[momist]

If you are interested in understanding the stroke risk, I suggest you visit the YouTube page of Sanjay Gupta, York Cardiology. He makes things very clear.

[Jeanette49 in reply to momist]

Hi Momist, I googled ‘Sanjay and stroke’ and found this - a device called a Watchman as an alternative to anti coagulants suitable for some people...very interesting article written by Sanjay Gupta, I realise though that he is not the Sanjay Gupta of York Cardiology!

everydayhealth.com/sanjay-g...

[momist in reply to Jeanette49]

Sorry Jeanette49 , I should have been clearer. That's the wrong Dr. Sanjay Gupta, I think. I can't seem to include a link to the YT video I want to show you, but if you look for 'York Cardiology' on YouTube and find the one he did called "Understanding Risk in Afib" you will find him, and his other videos.

[Jeanette49 in reply to momist]

Yes I realise it’s the wrong Sanjay, but still interesting don’t you think...this Watchman device? Whether it’s available outside of the USA is a different matter I guess.