Post ablation day 15

[Camgirl]

Hello - just an update for anyone interested. I’ve been ok since day 10 when I had the amaurosis fugax and have been out for walks of approximately a mile and felt it did me good. Feeling I’ve got a bit more energy although still not doing too much and taking it slowly.

I went in this morning to the tia clinic and to have the carotid Doppler done which thankfully showed all fine. I saw with the doctor in the clinic and he checked me over again in terms of strength on both sides, walking/gait, checked my eyes with bright light, and asked lots of questions. He said that they have to assume it was a tia and that in any event I’m on the right treatment, ie rivaroxaban, so nothing further prescribed. He did say that he would change the rivaroxaban to apixaban though as he said the latest research indicates that it is marginally better. He told me that having atrial fibrillation makes me five times more likely to have a stroke than the average but that taking apixaban reduces that to two times. He also said that having had an ablation, even if I have no further afib, my stroke risk is the same - surprisingly.

Anyone have any advice re changing meds? I’ve been fine with rivaroxaban so hoping that will continue with apixaban.

I did ask the doctor if he thought the amaurosis fugax could have been the result of the ablation. (I’d only read yesterday on Wikipedia that it could be a result of cardiac catheterisation). He said that he didn’t think so and that maybe I was thinking of a node or something in the atrium where there was a little place that clots could form. Can’t remember what he called it now. I didn’t like to refer to wikipedia😳😂 so left it at that. Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks in advance🤞🏻

[BobD Volunteer]

At least he knows that ablation does not remove stroke risk. This is unusual in GPs to say the least. I'm not convinced myself of tia but you will never really know. Move on as they say.

The place he referred to is the left atrial appendage and that would have nothing to do with your symptoms. Yes clots can form in there if you are not anticoagulated but highly unlikely otherwise unless you missed a dose or two.

[Camgirl in reply to BobD]

Thanks for reply Bob - yes that’s it - appendage. No I haven’t missed any anticoagulant and had the rivaroxaban night before ablation and evening after too.

[IanMK]

If you’re going to do research on the Internet, look for CHADSVASC score regarding stroke risk, otherwise keep to the AF Association Heart Rhythm Alliance and British Heart Foundation sites.

I have no experience of Rivaroxaban but have been on Apixaban for over 18 months with no known issues.

[Camgirl in reply to IanMK]

Thanks for reply Ian - good to hear you’ve had no problems on apixaban

[Aus19]

Hi from Australia, Camgirl, I've been on Apixaban since October last year, no side effects at all. Good luck with your recovery. I had a stroke last year, so I know how much of a worry it can be. But with one of the new generation anti-coagulants like Apixaban, then you have some element of prevention.

[Camgirl in reply to Aus19]

Thanks for your reply Aus19. Sorry I’ve only just seen it.

Hope you’re keeping well.