Pacemaker Afib

[abby6419]

I have chronic Afib. Have had one ablation and currently on Tikosyn... so far, so good. But, is a pacemaker an option? If you have a pacemaker can you get off the Tikosyn and Diltiazem?

[BobD Volunteer]

Pacemaker alone will not generally stop AF unless you go on to have an AV node ablation and become PM dependent. It my enabme stronger drugs to slow the heart without going too slow of course.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

AV ablation won’t stop the AF if the PM doesn’t Bob, only stop the signals transmitting through to the ventricles and lessen or eliminate symptoms.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

To be pedantic yes CD but most people have a much better quality of life that way.

[abby6419 in reply to BobD]

Thank you

[CDreamer]

I may be the exception but pacemaker worked for me and I take no drugs.

I think it depends on many factors, not least what caused your AF and if you have heart structure is otherwise healthy. It also seems it’s not predictable for whom it will work and for whom not. Mine was implanted prior to scheduled ablation of the AV node so I would have been totally PM dependant, but my very regular (3-4 times week) very symptomatic AF ended. I have had 4 episodes since implant in 2018. I had to have a revision of one of the leads when the PM was removed temporarily - straight back into AF - replanted - all good again. My EP said this had happened to several of his patients but they would never ‘sell’ it as a solution.

Pacemakers are also now being developed with algorithms specifically to treat AF - I believe one person posted they were the recipient a few months ago but I don’t know how it went. It’s called a Reactive ATP Pacemaker.

You might look at this site and ask your cardiologist. The technology is moving all of the time.

europe.medtronic.com/xd-en/...

[captainKFF]

Hi, would you please share what was your heart rate during the chronic Afib and whether you were symptomatic?

[abby6419 in reply to captainKFF]

I think it ranged from about 80 to 120

[etheral]

Is the Tikosyn stopping your afib?

[abby6419 in reply to etheral]

Yes so far. Had to do the 3 day hospital stay... but it put my Afib back to sinus in about 5 hours ... this was in December and so far it's stayed normal.

[etheral in reply to abby6419]

Terriffic.I've been taking it for 4years and have has no breakthrough arrythmias or noticable side effects. Fingers crossed that it keeps working. Hope you continue to have success with it. Maybe an ablation isn't necessary?

[etheral in reply to etheral]

What did the doc say was the rationale for the pacemaker?

[abby6419 in reply to etheral]

I have apnea as well and wear a cpap. Said my heart 'stopped' so many times... but usually get 100 scores.. so not sure what that was about. He hasn't recommended it yet.. just mentioned it. But wanted to ask you since you take Tikosyn. Do you exercise? I have just started water aerobics and have been a little afraid to push myself. Do you have experience with exercise and Tikosyn?

[cherrieberrie]

Hi abby I have had af for 1 year and was in full flutter and afib. put on Metoprolol 2x a day and flecanide one time a day. Had ablation 4 weeks ago and My heart rate drop low and I was having blackouts and dizzy spells. 1 week ago had to have pace maker. I am on only 1pill a day of Metoprolol and my regular blood pressure medicine. I will keep you up dated on process. I see my ep next week. Lets see what he says.

[betrn7]

Abby, I am on tikosyn for AF and have a pacemaker. Two different cardiology problems. The pacemaker helps when I had pauses and it is set to kick in when my heart rate is less than 60. A pacemaker does not stop AF,but the tikosyn decreases my episodes. Hopefully you are having an ekg every three months to make sure your Qtc is not elongated. Also a creatinine every 3 months to check your kidneys.

[abby6419 in reply to betrn7]

I have a Kardia and take my EKG almost daily... see the doc every 6 months. And they check my creatinine at that time. That whole kidney thing makes me a bit nervous! On a heart monitor and saw that my heart 'stopped' or paused, I guess, more than he thought so that is why the word pacemaker came up. We haven't discussed since that one time a few months ago. Do you take potassium supplements with the tikosyn as well?

[etheral]

Hi Abby. I take walks regularly in hilly terrain. As the lake gets warmer I swim most days. My heart rate is usually around 60 and with this exercise can get up to about 90. I have had no problem with higher rates or arrhythmia on the Tikosyn. As far as the need for pm, if your rate goes low at night this would certainly seem reasonable and not related to the Tikosyn. Tikosyn should not affect your potassium, although 6 months checks are prudent. Best, etheral

[abby6419 in reply to etheral]

thank you so much for the info... the best to you as well