Number of cardio inversions a person can have done?

[Portugal-2]

How many cardio inversions can or should a person have done to correct AF?

Read most only last a year for 80 out of 100 people. So how many is safe to have done?

Is cardio inversion worth the risk if it only can last a year?

[rosyG]

It often only lasts a short time but I think doctors use it to see if you feel better in normal rhythm and so whether they treat accordingly. I’ll leave those who’ve had it done to tell you more. There are some risks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Cardioversion (DCCV) is actually used by doctors as a test to guide future treatment. If you can be reverted to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) even for a short time and the patient feels better in NSR then treatments such as rhythm control drugs or ablation may be beneficial. If not then rate control allied to anticoagulation for stroke prevention would be the way to go,.

[Portugal-2 in reply to BobD]

Thank you BobD! They put a defibrillator into his chest at the hospital.They could not find any blockages in his heart during catheterization. Nor could they find the source of the cardiac arrest. Basically they said an ablation cannot be done if you can’t locate where to ablate. So that is why he is seeing a specialist to rule out amyloidosis just to be sure. Nothing in blood or urine points to amyloidosis but Dr. is specialist in a fib and that.. His a fibrillation is not stopping now. He is on medication for clotting and bp.

My concern reading all these wonderful answers is now to risk the first cardio inversion

I understand that it helps to do it at least once to see how you feel and how long it lasts. That makes sense. Reading the other replies of how many people have had and how often is a scary thought. Plus the amount of ablations that one may have to have done is also frightening.

You sound very knowledgeable what would you do and how far would you go weighing out the risk and reward aspect. I know it’s a difficult question but I don’t want to put my husband through anything unnecessary. Just happy they were able to revive him after his cardiac arrest.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Portugal-2]

Sorry but I can't really give you an answer. What is right for me may not be for you. It is a very personal thing but nothing is without risk. Even doing nothing carries risks.

[Jalia]

I can only give you my experience. I was first diagnosed about 28 years ago and since then have had 21 direct current cardioversions ...DCCV. Some have lasted 3/5 years, some 3/4 months and many about 12 months. My last one was in January this year. It is not normal to gave quite so many as this but my EP is aware and I have confidence in him.

I found great relief from all my cardioversions as I was very symptomatic. I am shortly to have a 4th ablation.

[Ppiman in reply to Jalia]

That was a nice story to read. Best wishes with the ablation. My friend has had four and is mostly free of Afib.

Steve

[Portugal-2 in reply to Jalia]

Wow, bless you!! Thank goodness for your great doctors. May I ask why so many ablations? How much relief and time did you receive from each ablation?? Unfortunately with my husband they cannot find even where to ablate or what’s causing it.

[pottypete1]

I have had more than 20 cardoversions but none recently.

As when I am in AF I am very symptomatic. The feeling of relief at being back in NSR when I woke from the anaesthetic was wonderful.

I had the cardoversions each time over a long period because I was in unable to revert my AF with extra Flecainide.

I wouldn’t hesitate to have another if the need arises.

Pete

[Portugal-2 in reply to pottypete1]

May I ask how long each lasted? 20 seems a lot. But I agree if it makes you feel better than it’s worth it. But what about the risk with the procedure itself?? May I ask why they have not done an ablation in your situation? What drug has worked to keep your a fib in check now?? Just trying to understand and figure this all out. Thank you!!

[pottypete1 in reply to Portugal-2]

I was first diagnosed with AF about 31 years ago. For many years my AF was controlled by Flecainide a drug that I still take each day now. As I had so many cardioversions over many years to be honest I cannot remember how long I was back in Normal Sinus Rhythm but it varied from weeks to many months.

I moved house 16 years ago and unbeknown to me I moved to within 15 minutes drive of one of the best cardiac units in the UK. Since then I have been cared for by 4 different EPs different due to retirement and promotion.

At that hospital I have now had 7 ablations. 5 for AF, 1 for Atrial Flutter and one for Atrial Tachycardia. It was a few months after I had the penultimate ablation that I developed Tachycardia. The carried out an adenosine challenge and this confirmed I had Tachycardia. The EP said that it was easier for them to treat this with ablation and I was booked in for my last ablation.

That was nearly 4 years ago. Whilst it took probably 2 years for my heart to settle I am now in a situation where very rarely probably 3 times a year I get issues with ectopic, fast runs and occasionally AF it is significantly less of a problem for me. Before I started on this long course of treatment I was having an episode of AF every few weeks and often twice or three times a week.

I don't regret having these ablations and I am not typical. Typically patients get significant relief after one or maybe two ablations and those folk don't hang around in our virtual meeting room.

Hope this helps you to understand.

Pete

[DevonHubby1]

In A&E they attempted it once on my wife and it made her condition worse rather than better. They upped her Bisoprolol and added Digoxin as an alternative.

[Portugal-2 in reply to DevonHubby1]

Thank you for your reply. I am sorry to hear it made things worse. But that is why I am questioning the treatment and its risk to get some information and input. So the two drugs she is on have the helped?? Was ablation considered in her case?

[DevonHubby1 in reply to Portugal-2]

She suffers from PAF and normally self reverts. She ended up in A&E after she had not self reverted in 7 days and was experiencing chest pains. When the cardioversion was unsuccessful she spent a further week on the cardio ward as they tried various combinations of the 2 drugs but was subsequently discharged as being in permanent AF. She self reverted shortly after. Digoxin was removed at 3 month follow up. She still has PAF, but not as often and the Bisoprolol keeps the rate down.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

10 years ago, I had nearly a dozen cardioversions. Always got them on the same day I went to emergency. A couple of times was converted with IV meds ... the rest with the shock paddles.

Felt great almost immediately and back in sinus after all of them. But only the lucky ones get any lengthy time out of them. At the end, my AFIB returned within the week. In the beginning, my AFIB was only every 2 or 3 months. Then, it became 2 or 3 attacks a week.

Finally, I found Flecainide worked as pill-in-the-pocket to revert me at home when needed, so that ended my money and time drain at emergency.

Eventually, I got one flutter ablation and 2 AFIB ablations that gave me 10 years of no meds ... no anticoag .. and in sinus (normal heart beat). However, my AFIB came back last year in AUG, so went in for 4th ablation on OCT 22. Feeling pretty good now.

Good Luck! to you . . . I don't think there is a limit. But if you ever get as bad as I was ... you'll be getting them every other day.

[Portugal-2 in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Thank you for your reply and all your information. It’s an amazing story with a great outcome!! We’re you always a candidate for ablation? Did you hold off? What I don’t understand is why they can’t know or do the ablation once and have it corrected. In other words why are you on the 4 th ablation?I do agree that ablation is the way to go for more long term relief. I wish my husband had that option. They don’t know where to ablate and why he is in constant a fibrillation.

[rosyG in reply to Portugal-2]

Ablation scars can heal up snd let the signals through again which is why some people need further ablation

[The_Lord_is_with_Us in reply to Portugal-2]

I was a young, active 56-year-old at the time. In fact, when AFIB first hit ... I had just climbed aboard my exercycle for my nightly session with a heart monitor on my wrist.

My little black heart symbol and numbers were jumping all over the place on my watch. I said to my wife, "Look at this ... it's really acting strange. And, I feel strange!" I told her I was off to emergency.

I never liked conventional prescriptions. Only as a last resort. I knew that all prescribed drugs have side effects and put an unhealthy 'load' on the liver and body.

I also discovered that if you choose med management of AFIB, it could remodel the heart over time and, therefore, later ablations might not work as well.

Also, the med route is fraught with side effects and efficacy issues for some patients. AFIB will be managed nicely for a few years ... then, for some, it STOPs being effective leaving you back at square one.

After exhausting all lifestyle and natural arrhythmia cures (and it still progressed), I really had only one option ... and quite glad it was available .... ablation.

Can't express enough how important it will be for you and your husband to consult with a TOP Electrophysiologist, one who does it all ... seen it all on a regular basis. You will be happy.

[3killeens]

I had 2 they didn't work so they said no more, went on to have ablation, it worked first time, so far x

[Portugal-2 in reply to 3killeens]

I am so happy for you! I wish my husband could be a candidate for ablation because I think that’s the best way with longest results.

[Hidden]

Not sure what the risk of electric conversion is with a defibrillator. Has he had a 3D map? Not a medical comment.