How Long Does It Take For ‘Moderately Enlarged Left Atrium’ To Revert Back To Size?

[MrFizz]

Hi there,

An echocardiogram showed I have a moderately enlarged left atrium that is causing my 24*7 AF. I am on amiodorone 200mg daily and no longer in AF; I feel great!

Ive made lifestyle adjustments - 90% less alcohol, no endurance exercise, decaf coffee only and more sensible food choices.

I will be having a catheter ablation next year May 2022 (due to health fund wait for 12m on pre-existing condition).

My enlarged atrium was probably caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure and maybe endurance exercise.

I asked for another echocardiogram in 12 months to see if the enlargement has shrunk - so as to not require the catheter ablation at all and be taken off amiodarone.

Has anyone else seen a reverse in atrium enlargement? Over what period and was it effective in stopping AF?

Thanx in advance.

[PlanetaryKim]

That's an excellent question I look forward to the replies. I have certainly read that atrial enlargement (dilation) can and will reverse when the underlying causes are removed (eg, afib, high blood pressure, extreme athletics, etc.) My own echocardiogram from 17 months ago showed "mild atrial dilation". And I am hoping to see that reverse to normal now that my afib seems to have stopped (assuming that new development holds).

[Peony4575 in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Glad to hear AF on hold for you Kim

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Peony4575]

It's very exciting. No Afib since episode Feb 7-9. And they used to come every 2-3 weeks.

[Peony4575 in reply to PlanetaryKim]

It is exciting ! And well done ! I know this is not just a blessing but something you have worked for via lifestyle etc

[secondtry]

Great news that the AF has gone away, you seem to have got the mix of drug and Lifestyle changes right. I would have a telephone consultation with your cardiologist regarding whether you should take an anti-coagulant due to your atrial myopathy. I am no friend of ACs but I did listen to this York cardiology video recently youtube.com/watch?v=l_Xc3Fn...(Not working as expected?)

[Peony4575 in reply to secondtry]

Yes that was a particularly good video . My GP surgery has agreed to give me a box of Edoxaban to have on a “just in case” basis . The pharmacist was clued up on intermittent anticoagulation having read about it in her journals and GP agreed . Some small progress

[BobD Volunteer]

Chicken /egg? In many cases the AF causes the enlargement but if you have been over exercising this will also do it. Stopping the AF may well allow the atrium to return to a more normal size and one hopes that de-training and restricting exercise to normal healthy levels (walk and talk at the same) will have a similar effect. Time frame is impossible to predict .

[Sfhmgusa]

Hi I had an ablation in November and the EP told me I had similar moderate enlargement, I had a six month echo cardiagram last week and it was unchanged after 6 months without afib( but to be fair 6 months where I have been not excercise normally until I was satisfied the ablation worked.

My EP expects in -2 months time if I am back to normal lifestyle wise that it will improve and so I guess this is a convoluted answer that between 6 and 18 months for me the enlargement might get better I’m certainly going to try to achieve that

Steve

[Amcech]

Yes mine did improve to mildly enlarged. My insurance in us would only allow an echo every two years, so mine improved in two years. Mine improved because I had an ablation which stopped my fast, irregular heart rhythm. I still have intermittent bouts of flutter following my fourth ablation in January. I had another echo this past March which was the same from a year ago (I’m on Medicare now and echos can be performed whenever needed).

[Ren912]

Actually I have no experience with Amiodarone. It was prescribed and after careful research I refused to take it. Also a person who had taken it advised me to avoid it. So sorry I have no advice other than what was given to me, avoid it!

[Alphakiwi in reply to Ren912]

Amioderine put me in hospital in 10 days after flat lining. Take care

[Alphakiwi]

I was diagnosed couple yrs ago with atypical flutter. After tried on various meds and dc cardioversion which didnt last it was confirmed thst i had a severely enlarged left atrium.I was placed on a waiting list 3months ago for pace and ablate. 4 weeks ago the arrythmia departed hence i feel a lot better but still have lack of real energy and inability to excersise realistically. Maybe all these other probs will dissapear yet and no need for pace and ablate.

Maybe my left atrium has come right.