So is it worth trying?
Listening to all of you talking about... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Listening to all of you talking about cardio version. None of you say it’s not worth trying. Eventhough some have had a number of versions
Written by
Ewloe
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18 Replies
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BobDVolunteer
As I have said many times Ewloe, cardioversion (DCCV) is a very useful tool to see if you can be returned to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and more importantly if you feel better in such state. If the answer to both questions is yes then it may indicate that ablation may be a future treatment plan. If no to either then rate control and of course anticoagulation would be the way forward. Yes it is worth while trying just for what you can learn.
DCCV is not a cure for anything as by now you should see although if your AF was a one off maybe due to binge drinking then one might consider it a cure.
Many people have relief from AF symptoms for variable lengths of time following DCCV, some for years even but it is not without risk so not something to be considered lightly in my view.
It's certainly worth trying, they have always returned me to normal sinus rhythm. For some people the results can last for years. Go for it if you have the chance, it's a simple procedure.
Jean
I have had a great number of cardioversions (22) over 28 years. A couple of these have lasted 3/5 years. Definitely worth going for in my opinion. I would have been in heart failure without them.
Make very sure your Cardiologist knows what your diagnosis is before you have a cardioversion. My underlying diagnosis was Bradycardia which triggered AF. When I had my cardioversion, I was made very ill by it. I was told they would try again because they said they would do it differently, by placing me on Amiodarone to prepare my heart. The Amiodarone made me even more unwell and the cardioversion, again did not work.
Hi Ewloe,
In my case, a total waste of time. However, there are other options.
Best wishes
J
My rhythm was returned every time I had a cardioversion. It often lasted a considerable time but it was ablations and Flecainide that ultimately has given me a significantly better quality of life.
Pete
Always worked and been straightforward for me ( 5 over 7 years i think ) until I eventually had an ablation.
As with all medical procedures there are risks. Be sure you (or your loved ones who are with you) understand them before agreeing to the procedure. The odd one of us has a bad experience with cardioversion but a lot have a hood outcome. Ultimately its your decision.
Yes it worked for me for 3 weeksI woke up laughing could see clearer more vivid colours acute smell taste realised what I had lost I felt I had been reborn , that was 10 years ago still fighting and alive
It's not a treatment, as it does not treat the cause, but, for me, it is a godsend as i am in a dreadful state when in Afib and drugs don't work to restore proper rhythm. I've had six now and the time NSR lasted each time has varied between four years for the first one and just 18 days for the 5th. But it's better than being in Afib for me as I can barely walk or breathe and certainly cannot go to work.The procedure itself is easy. My recoveries vary. Once when I was in Afib for nearly six weeks it took three months, but after my last one when I was 'zapped' after about 13 hours I was back to normal in about 12 days. But I am a slow healer. Hope this helps
If part of your concern is that it may be a bad or difficult experience, let me reassure you. I attended the hospital and sat in a waiting area with a dozen others until my name was called. I had a chat with a nurse in a cubicle, who took all my details, then waited about half an hour in a gown before being taken to a small room where I was sedated, (which felt lovely!) then asked to take deep breaths from a mask.
I woke up shortly afterward in a different room with a nurse sat by my bed.
There really was nothing to it, not stressful or uncomfortable.
After coffee and sandwiches and a bit of monitoring, I was in the car with my wife going home!
I felt great straight away and over a year on still do.
I have no way of predicting the likelyhood of a successful outcome in your case, but please don't be intimidated by the thought of Cardioversion, there really is nothing to it.
59
Thanks for starting this topic. Can't ever be discussed enough.
Is your heart rate and symptoms being controlled by medication ? Always important to take advice of your doctor though many doctors leave the decision to the individual unless they have severe symptoms.
Which brings the question, if medication is keeping afib controlled is a cardioversion worthwhile ? As BobD points out, cardioversion is not a cure but an indicator of future treatment that may bring a higher quality of life. But again, consider your current symptoms and medication with knowledge that af often progresses.
But I share your hesitancy to elect a procedure that is not a cure and often has to be repeated. Wishes that you make the proper decision.
I had my cadioversion 3 months ago. Very simple procedure, no side effects and felt better instantly. I woould definitely go for it when possible.
In my case, my two cardioversions absolutely were worth the effort as they stopped both very long a-fib episodes in their tracks, not to return again for some time later.
Had mine 3 months ago, feel brilliant and no episodes, heart rate is now between 60 and 80 bpm (unless at the gym and it rarely goes over 100) never felt so well so for me after 6 years it was so worth the procedure
