Relapse after cardioversion

[Ivan_the_Terrible]

I'm due a cardioversion next week. I'm warned that I may revert to arrhythmia within a couple of months. Can anyone tell me, does reversion happen suddenly or gradually, or can it be either? It would be helpful to know, if I were to travel somewhere off the beaten track and it suddenly reverted that could be somewhat problematic. Thanks for any advice.

[Hidden]

On the basis that we are all different, it’s not possible to give a definitive answer but from my own experience when AF returned around a year later, the symptoms seemed similar, certainly not worse than before the CV. Within a day or two, I returned to sinus rhythm and with the help of a small Flecainide maintenance dose, that situation remained up until I had my first ablation. Try not to worry about reverting back into AF, a CV rarely offers a long term solution but it really helps in assessing any longer term treatment plans. All the best for next week, let us know how you get on and don’t be tempted to do too much after the procedure. Give your heart all the help it needs to establish sinus rhythm......

[BobD Volunteer]

DVVC is not a cure for AF by any stretch . You may be lucky to have a year or two or it may drop out in a few days , hours or even minutes. Life is different now for sure.

[Paulbounce]

Hello Ivan.

Your CV could keep you in normal rhythm for two minutes or two years. I'm 12 months in sinus now after mine but I'm putting that down to taking Flec every day.

To answer your question (from my experience) the longer you are in sinus, the quicker you notice if you go back in to afib. I'll know in an instance if I go back in to afib. Before I hadn't got a clue. We are all different of course. It doesn't really happen over time - you either are or your not in afib. It can come and go like that - no one size fits all. It can last for minutes / hours / days / weeks / years.

Maybe it's worth talking to your doc about a PIP when you have your CV. If you know you are back in it then take your PIP (if your doc decides it's a good idea to have one). After a few months in sinus it's likely you will feel it when / if it kicks in. After 12 months pretty much afib free I know the second it happens with me now (twice so far) - I'm on it in a flash - I take my PIP instantly and it's worked so far.

Good luck with it. I hope all goes well and it works out for you. I'm sure it will.

Paul

[Ivan_the_Terrible in reply to Paulbounce]

Paul, and thanks very much for your reply.

[Ivan_the_Terrible]

I got the impression from my GP that the pill in PIP could be a betablocker such as Bisosprolol. I'll carry some with me wherever I go.

[Hidden]

For me I went back in to AF suddenly, there was no warning, just bam here we go again.

My first on lasted about 9 months with the assistance of amiodorone

Next one lasted 3 months and then 3 weeks.

Luckily I had a successful ablation 3 years ago

[Tapanac]

Unfortunately never know when the beast can strike. Personally I had a cardioversion about three years ago then although I was ok had an ablation on advice of EP then af tachycardia raised head again about a year later. It happened suddenly each time just like the first time but everyone different and you might find you're fine for years afterwards. Good luck

[Silvasava]

Good luck with the cardioversion Ivan, hope it keeps you in NSR for a long time. I had a phone call yesterday for an appointment for mine at the end of the month. I'm so hoping it will work as I'm on 10mg of Bisoprolol and breathless nearly all the time.

[Diamondcat]

Morning, my cardio version was successful for just 6 days then without warning I was back in AF. Everyone is different so if nay work better for you

[Ducky2003]

My first lasted 4 days and I knew instantly the AF was back as I was incredibly symptomatic. 2nd lasted nearly 3 years with the help of Amiodarone but then cardiologist took me off meds last Oct to see if I stayed in nsr without need for ablation. Sadly, AF kicked in again last month abd again, I knew instantly but fortunately, I've not been as symptomatic this time but back on Amiodarone waiting for number 3 and then ablation.

[tunybgur]

My cardioversion lasted about 3 months and the reversion to AF was fairly quick but I hold myself responsible as it happened during a particularly stressful football game (watching, not playing).

My advice is to avoid all triggers (especially stress) and keep taking the anticoags just in case you do go back into AF.

My AF is controlled with flecainide and has been ok for the last 4 years apart from the odd instance due to my old friend stress, but the upside is it's not a killer, it just saps my energy.

Stay positive, glass half full all the time!

Good luck

[CookieinAL]

I have had two cardio versions, the first one lasted a couple months, but the second lasted only 10 days. After that, I was referred for an ablation.

[Ivan_the_Terrible]

I'd like to thank everyone for replies. I can't see a private messaging facility - there used to be one - otherwise I'd sent a personal private thank you to each one.