Chronic Afib

[Stcasimir]

I have had afib episodes 3 to 4 times a year for the past 20 years or so. This was controlled with medication ie. Nadolol and Propafenone (this last one taken when afib occurred). It has become chronic since last July. I underwent 2 Cardioversions since with no good result. Waiting for a pacemaker procedure in 3 weeks.

[cuore]

How did you get from 3 or 4 episodes a year to suddenly persistent in July. It is also strange that you are getting a pacemaker rather than getting an ablation first. You had to cardioversions but you do not state how long you were in sinus after cardioversion. Not sure what your question is.

[Stcasimir in reply to cuore]

I wasn’t posing a question. I was simply introducing myself being new to the group. My afib was controlled by meds (Nadolol mainly) for nearly 20 years and when I’d have an episode I would take a high dosage of Propafenone and my heart beats would regulate within a couple hours. Episodes mainly occurred at night- I would wake up to them. This past July I the “pill in the pocket” stopped working. I had a Cardioversion in August and the effect of it didn’t last out the day. I was referred to another cardiologist who specializes in surgical treatments. Took 4 months to be able to see him (virtually naturally re Covid) and I was nervous about either ablation or pacemaker. He went along with trying another Cardioversion the effects of which didn’t last any longer than the first. So left with ablation orPacemaker now. I decided on pacemaker as it seemed to be the more sure thing. Hope I’m making the right decision.

[cuore in reply to Stcasimir]

First let me welcome you to the group. You would have got more responses had you announced that you were new to the group. Second, a pacemaker is not a "sure thing" in terms of getting rid of the atrial fibrillation. It will still be there. The difference is that your rate is controlled by the pacemaker.

Are you saying that you got to see an elecrophysiologist and you wasted four months in persistent just to get a consultation? How sad. It's the sort of thing that happened to me too. It is so tragic that we are made to wait in persistent as our heart gets more remodelled and fibrotic. Your case sounds like mine whereby I had to have three ablations by a top electrophysiologist to get me to the stage of sinus rhythm holding for two years now, but with some bumps when I tried to get off Propafenone.

If you are not sure if you are making the right decision, you have nothing to lose at this stage by asking more questions, and seeing an electrophysiologist and not just a cardiologist. They are different. An electrophysiologist is trained in the electrical mechanics of the heart, a cardiologist is not. I would suggest you get a consultation with another EP since you are not sure. If the AV node is ablated, you will be pacemaker dependent for life. There will be no turning back.

[Stcasimir in reply to cuore]

Thank you so much for taking the time to go into such details. I understand that the purpose of ablation is to try and eliminate afib as opposed to a pacemaker controlling it. Frankly at this stage in my life I would be grateful for control. I just turned 80 😀. Twenty years ago when this started would have been a different story. Thanks again for caring!

[7164 in reply to Stcasimir]

Please see an electrophysiologist first. The Afib ablation seeks to reduce the Afib and most on here will tell you to try that first.Surprised that you have not had more responses on this one.

Maybe post again. Introduce yourself as a Newbury and ask advice. Everyone here has been where you are and will help.