I was diagnosed as slow AF in July 2019. Many different meds were tried but all lowered my BP and pulse too much to cope with AF. Decision has now been made to give a pacemaker. No ablation. I'm on dabigatran with some uncomfortable side effects but rivaroxaban was no good. AF has increased to almost daily and anything from 3 to 15 hours. Has anyone else gone straight to a pacemaker as the answer?
Betsy 78
Is there a reason for not having an ablation first?
My Cardiologist made the decision. He said I might still get AF and if so he would then do ablation. I can't understand why doing it this way especially as my usual Cardiologist said ablation first then pacemaker. Living in the 'shaky isles ' we're perhaps a bit behind?
I had a pacemaker fitted suffer from low and high AF so impossible to treat with medication it obviously stops heart rate dropping below 50 but doesn't stop AF
Hi Betsy,
I have a pacemaker for aFib/flutter. Meds did not control the fast hr effectively as was on lowest dose due to meds causing bradycardia and pauses.
I ruled out PVI ablation as cardiologist told me only 70% chance of success. I'd already done my research and decided pacemaker (last August) was best option.
As davidbruns said, it doesn't stop the AF, you just don't feel all the symptoms. I've had my AV node ablated too, this controls the problematic flutter that I had. I'm on Apixaban as Rivaroxaban upset my gut.
Hope that helps?
I get more and more confused as I read the comments on this site as I've just a week ago registered. One thing I do know and that is my A.F. comes almost every day or night at some stage and can last for anything up to 15 hrs. I get completely exhausted. I'm on dabigatran blood thinners which really upset my stomach but rivaroxaban was worse. I'd love to give it all up!! I was perfectly healthy and very active until 8 months ago. Heart problems in my family but I had escaped by being careful with my diet and exercise. Such a shock. Trying to understand why Cardiologists can say different things to me is also confusing. I don't know what a "bundle branch block" is but can see the ECG looks a bit weird. BP goes low and Pulse too low if I go on meds during A.F. so I guess that's why a pacemaker is going to be fitted. Ablation may be considered later if the pacemaker doesn't do the correction. I do need encouragement!!
Your current cardiologist (you do not say EP) made this decision "for" and not "with" you? This same cardiologist says "I might still get AF and if so he would then do an ablation." Perhaps you misunderstood this cardiologist because the purpose of a pacemaker is not to get rid of AF -- it will still be there.
Go back to your "usual cardiologist" before you really get on the wrong track.
There's a shortage of Cardiologists in this country. I've had to wait a long time. Cannot pick & choose in NZ. I'm told I have a "bundle branch block". Told my case is 'unique' & don't know why. ECG always puzzles the ambulance staff if need to go into E.D. BP always slows down & pulse when in AF to below 60 sometimes. When in sinus I'm usually 60-65 bpm. My stomach reacts to meds tried. I'm on dabigatran blood thinner which can upset things too. New at this 'game'. AF can last up to 15 hrs. Now happening most days. So exhausted.
It is not only New Zealand where there is a shortage. In Canada, there is a shortage of funds and EPs. It seems the same problem is in the United Kingdom as well. I , from Canada, went to Pessac, France to solve my problem.
There is quite. bit of material on "bundle branch block" and its treatment. You might want to retype the heading of your post to include "bundle branch block" and in the body ask the question about a pacemaker. Your answers should be more targeted.
The left bundle branch block makes the EKG pretty useless. I keep telling people spine issues can cause all these heart rate problems but few people listen. So maybe this is something to explore before you get a pacemaker.
How would that affect having A Fib? I had a fracture to sacrum/coccyx area which healed at a right angle making childbirth very difficult. What, if any, would be a connection? I don't fully understand all that is said on this site as I'm a "newby".
The body is very complex and much of the communication from the brain travels in the spine. When the spine is not optimal, the body compensates as best that it can. By insuring the spine is in the best condition possible, the body has a better chance of functioning optimally. I know the heart is impacted by spine issues; and these can be anywhere in the spine. Nerves at C1, T1, T2 and T5 are especially important. The heart could be influenced by many other things as well but any influence that can be improved is probably worth the effort. Look up on YouTube Dr. John Bergman and heart arrhythmias.
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