failed cardioversion

[Tut7iFru7i]

i went into the bristol heart hospital yesterday to have a cardioversion-sadly it did,nt work.the nurses told me i will be called back in the future to discuss other procedures.can my friends on --healthunlocked tell what others who also failed synus mode ended up having xxxxxlots of love

[BobD Volunteer]

When you say it failed, did NSR (normal sinus rhythm) occur even for a few seconds or was it never attained?

It may be that they will try again in three months having loaded you with amiodarone but every hospital has different ideas.

You must understand that there is actually no difference in long term morbidity between NSR and AF so provided that your rate is well controlled and you are properly anticoagulated for stroke prevention you should have a long and productive life. Many people in permanent AF are not even aware of it

[mav7 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob

Thank you for your many informative contributions to this forum.

What is considered afib that is "well controlled" ? HR under 100 and no breathing or other issues >

Thanks !

[BobD Volunteer in reply to mav7]

Pretty much I think. Normal heart rate is considered to be between 60 and 100.

[Tut7iFru7i in reply to BobD]

thank-you for taking time out to answer.yes it did go into synus mode all three times but then flipped out again.i have a very fast h.b and irregular.i could cope more if i did,nt get so breathless.the nurse told me they will be calling back bur i have no new meds.xxxx

[heartmatters1 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob

Can’t persistent AF contribute to heart failure? My husband’s cardiologist is considering a cardioversion for him as he has persistent AF & HF.

Ally

[BobD Volunteer in reply to heartmatters1]

The important part of my statement is the last paragraph . provided that rate is well controlled and the patient is anticoagulated there is no risk. Plenty of people have permanent AF and live long and happy lives. Any and all treatment is primarily for quality of life (QOL).

Yes if rate is not controlled the atrium may become enlarged and in dealing with the reduced flow the ventricle may suffer leading to HF. This is why it is important to keep rate within the "normal" range of 60 to 100.

[Walkingballer in reply to heartmatters1]

I had persistent AF and was diagnosed with severe HF… had a cardioversion which returned to NSR…. Then a Cardio MRI a month later… all perfectly normal… discharged.. just on pills to control BP & HR. Both Cardiologist and GP tell me it won’t return

[Billblue in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD I did not know that

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear that your CV didn’t work, generally they will try again but this time prescribing a rhythm drug such a Amiodarone to be taken for a fixed period before and after the procedure. This will provide additional support to try and keep the heart in rhythm after the procedure. If appropriate, what will also help is to make any lifestyle changes which are known to help its performance such as losing weight, following a healthy diet and regular exercise etc.

[Tut7iFru7i in reply to Hidden]

thanks for your reply.i have lost 3 st since i retired,due to bad depression but now on the mend.i loved my job but felt at 76 i should let someone else in.i didnt think it would affect me so much take carexxxxx

[Spinbiker]

My first cardioversion also failed - I was put on flecainide 3 weeks prior to having my second one and this one worked - I have been in sinus rhythm since

[smn100]

They've tried a few times with mine but it never stays in NSR so now I live with it. I too have fast he. Now all controlled with drugs

[johnnyB1313 in reply to smn100]

I had "lived with it " also , After 11 years putting drugs in me decided to have an Ablation . University if Michigan did an awesome job , I have been in Sinus rhyme now for 3 months. i do take a few meds to keep my blood pressure and pulse where it belongs but am doing lots of things now without feeling ready to collapse ! It is very important to have an overload of Amiodarone for awhile Before they do a cardioversion.

[Neoneo]

Hi, I had two ablations which after a few days or weeks, failed. I had a cardio version that worked for four days. I then had a cryoablation. This lasted eighteen months. Beginning of June, it all kicked off again. I am not sure there is a permanent solution to these conditions. Very depressing.

[johnnyB1313 in reply to Neoneo]

They are in a trial study at the Cleveland Clinic with a different Ablation procedure that has been very successful in the U.K , I am sorry to here you are back into AFIB after 18 months .

[Nugger in reply to Neoneo]

Mini maze

[DevonHubby1]

One attempt at electrical cardioversion was made on my wife when in A&E with AF peaking at 180. It put her in a dangerous flutter so they abandoned any further attempts. She was transferred to the cardiology ward where they spent a week trying to revert her using meds and bring her rate down. On getting her down to a rate of 90, but still in AF, they discharged her. She self reverted whilst waiting for her discharge notes to be written up. That was 3 years ago, still a few episodes of AF but nothing lasting one than a few hours.

[listerines]

Cardioversion tried twice but did not work on me in the emergency room. Was discharged with flecainide and bisoprolol and converted back to NSR after 36-48 hours. Since that time have had two ablations and now Afib episodes far less frequent though remain on the meds - will be trying to come off the antiarrhythmics in approximately a month to determine how successful 2nd ablation was. All this to say thay there are options even if cardioversion is not successful.

[Dandare]

Hope you keeping well good luck

[Tut7iFru7i]

thank-you.to all the people who replied about my failed cardioversion its good to know i am not alone love to allxxxxx

[Dandare]

Hope you keeping well good luck

[TracyAdmin Partner]

How are you feeling today? If you would like any information about various treatments for AF, please do not hesitate to contact our Patient Services team on [e-mail] you will also find is helpful to register for the "on demand" HRC2021 A F Association Patients Day too heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[-Tony-]

I had a similar experience, underwent cardioversion successfully but AF returned 3 days later, was prescribed Amiodarone worked for a couple of years to control AF but it came back and i was booked in for another cardioversion. Ironically I turned up for the procedure got on the bed for pre testing and the nurse said put your shirt back on as you heart is in normal rhythm again.Touch wood still in rhythm many years later.

Still taking Amiodarone along with Bisoprolol but now on levothyroxine for under active thyroid brought on by Amiodarone, also had issues with high blood pressure so also taking Ramipril , Doxazosin and warfarin and Statins rattling when I walk now.

I had Rheumatic fever when i was young and this the doctors say is the cause of a leaking mitral valve leading to AF.

I have now been AF free for around 12 years.

A word of warning around 10 years back my GP decided to take me off warfarin and put me on aspirin instead. I was playing a game of golf one morning and hit the ball sideways on the first Tee, by the third hole I could not speak properly garbling my words nobody really took any notice and luckily as it was raining hard we decided to finish on the 9th hole.

I got home my wife concerned asked what was wrong with my voice and took me straight to A&E where I was seen straight away.

I had suffered a TIA.

I had to see a stroke consultant and noting my medical back ground he said it was lunacy to for a doctor to take me off warfarin.

I was stupid not to make a decision to tell some one on the golf course that day but luckily I am still here.

[Octaviascout]

I've been in PAF for over 2 years .. HB all over the place. Possibly had it before it was diagnosed ? I had 2 DC Cardioversions back at the start neither of which worked. ! First one put me into SR for 20 hours, 2nd only until I came round from the anaesthetic. Very desponding at the time but you'll learn to live with it under rate control drugs and anticoagulants.

[Vrouse]

I had a cardioversion in January, which failed, despite 3 attempts. I have since had a scan, echo and 24hr monitor. The consultant rang last week to discuss and said I am now in permanent AF, even though I have no symptoms. He said the medication has it well under control and I will be kept under review. I am happy with that as the failed cardioversion was really tough to take and I did not want an ablation. Good luck, I hope you get it sorted. x

[Tut7iFru7i in reply to Vrouse]

thanks so much xx

[mav7 in reply to Vrouse]

Glad af is controlled.

May I ask what medications have been successful. !

[Vrouse in reply to mav7]

I take Bisoprolol, Candesartan (I was on Ramipril but it caused a cough) and Apixaban,

[mav7 in reply to Vrouse]

Thanks for sharing.

[Idahohorse]

Not to be overly concerned. It took me three conversations before one held. And I was 75 at the time.

[Fullofheart]

I had a cardioversion a month ago. It only lasted a few days. As a few others have suggested the plan, for me, is another attempt. I'm booked in for 4 weeks time. Been on amiodarone for 2 weeks now in preparation. 🤞

[sadie308]

I had aflutter before I had afib. I had an ablation for the flutter and it stopped the aflutter. Several months later, afib developed. They did a cardioversion twice and failed both times. When I had my open heart surgery for a valve replacement, they did a MAZE procedure at the same time to address the afib but it did not work. A few months later, they did another cardioversion and it stopped the afib but a few months after that, I flipped back into aflutter. So, at this point, they have said there is nothing more they can do for me due to the scarring on my heart from the previous procedures.