Can persistent af be "cured" with one cardioversion??

[Pinklady7272]

Hi, 50 year old female with persistent AFib, diagnosed in July 2022. Seen cardiologist last week, I'm for cardioversion in next few weeks and he has said he will see me again early next year and suggests he will take me off meds and that's me done. I have been looking at other posts online and it suggests AFib cannot be cured but managed. Now don't get me wrong, I would love for this to happen but he is being too optimistic or am I being too dubious 😁. Any advice would be great and thanks in advance xx

[CDreamer]

One can always hope but my response would be be anything is possible but possible and probable are two different things.

Because everyone reacts SO individuall you will have to try it and see.

The possibilities are:-

It will convert you to NSR - whether or not NSR is maintained is another matter. Some people will be in NSR for seconds whilst others for years or even forever. The fact that you are able to be converted opens doors as to further treatments which may be longer lasting.

If you can be converted then I would say you and your doctor would then need to review your treatment options - most people would stay on their meds for weeks/months before tapering down slowly but decisions of this sort have many variables - length of time you have been in AF, how symptomatic you are or not, echocardiogram results, your medical history/age, what treatment options your cardiologist recommends and what you think about continuing to seek NSR or are you willing to settle to be in AF with controlled heart rate and regular monitoring.

All questions/topics for discussion with your cardiologist.

If you cannot be converted to NSR through cardioversion and you remain in AF then you need to have a conversation about what next and then what would normally happen is an assessment as to how symptomatic you are and how it affects your quality of life, your age - Pace and Ablate could be an option or continuing on drugs if very symptomatic and they help. Cardiologists tend to be reluctant to offer pacemakers to younger patients.

Hope it goes well and you sustain long lasting NSR. Let us know how you get on.

[MummyLuv in reply to CDreamer]

totally agree with CD this is the approach. Whilst it’s a postcode lottery to get a mini maze I thought I’d share I was persistent and had 4 cardioversions and never even got a few seconds of NSR, my EP took from that I wasn’t capable of NSR, however surgical ablation returned me to NSR and I am still in it 6 months later. It’s another option for you to consider if you are able to access it

[grandmadogs in reply to MummyLuv]

I was the same as you. Persistent AF. I had two cardioversions a month apart but neither of them worked. Ended up with an ablation. It worked and consultant told me I had 50% chance of it lasting. Four years on and all still good but I still take some medications due to age and history.

[MummyLuv in reply to grandmadogs]

that’s wonderful to read, long May your NSR continue!

[Pinklady7272 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi,CDreamer, well explained, thank you

[Hidden]

Totally agree with everything that CD says and suggest you take a look at this post from a day or two ago which includes another link which you might also find helpful.

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[Pinklady7272 in reply to Hidden]

Hi FlapJack, the link provided was very useful thanks

[Paulbounce]

Hi Pink.

I think CD has pretty much covered it. For me personally time in NSR varied from one week for the second CV and two years for the last. It really is a lucky dip - some might have a day other may go years in NSR. I don't look at a CV as a magic bullet that will cure afib forever but rather a quick fix that may have some mileage in it. If it puts you in NSR (even for a few minutes) then other treatment options may work for you.

It's worth making life style changes too - diet / walking exercises etc. One last thing - don't be worried about having your CV. You will be put under and won't know a thing about.

Good luck.

Paul

[Pinklady7272 in reply to Paulbounce]

Hi Paulbounce, any time in nsr sounds good at the moment just to feel normal again for a while. Life style changes, I'm working on have stopped smoking and drinking and started getting out walking more on my good days. Next I need to lose the weight but I love a challenge lol

[BobD Volunteer]

Cardioversion is not a cure for anything. It is more a test to see if you can be converted to NSR and thereby sign post other treatments such as ablation. It may hold for hours, days or weeks/months but you still have AF.

[Pinklady7272 in reply to BobD]

Hi BobD, here's hoping the cardioversion works, if even for a short time, fingers crossed and we shall take it from there, one day at a time 😁

[Afibflipper]

Hi, I have had 2 ablations years ago, I’ve had 2 cardioversions this year . The first got me perfectly in to NSR but only 4 days asid picked up a chest infection which set of asthma. 2nd CV was about 7 weeks later, now that lasted 6-7 weeks, I felt wonderful, so much more energy, not breathless but alas I’m due another ablation next week - as it gets closer I am beginning to feel a bit jittery now. Good luck on your way x

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Afibflipper]

Good luck, it was my third ablation that really helped me and I hope you'll be the same.

[Afibflipper in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you so much - I’m really worried about the pain after, my last ones were somewhat disastrous and the severe pain after still feels like yesterday some 12-15 years later

I’m so glad you feel the benefit, let’s hope it’s the last of it eh xx

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Afibflipper]

In all my 3 ablations I only had one period of pain and that lasted for about a minute. I was more tired and poorly feeling than in pain. After my third I felt better immediately.

[jeanjeannie50]

Good to hear that you've been offered a cardioversion and I really hope one works for you. They always worked for me and to be honest I liked having them, it's so lovely to wake with a normal heart rate again.

I had quite a few and learnt the hard way what to and not do afterwards. These things are not to exert yourself and cause your heart to race, let it gain strength beating in it's correct manner for a few weeks. I once walked up a hill the day after a cardioversion and went straight back into AF. It's too late then to feel sorry you did it. I'd also say no large meals or going for a walk after eating, no alcohol or caffeine.

There is absolutely nothing to the cardioversion procedure, just a few shocks to the heart while your sedated, you'll know nothing about it.

Please let us know how you get on. Sending you best wishes.

Jean

[wilsond]

My best friend had 2 cardioversions. First didnt work,then she was put on amiadarone for few months( to prepare her heart for the cv,she was told)2nd one has held for over 18months!

[Belle11]

Others have described the possible outcomes better than I could - I can only share my own experience. I was in persistent AF for 9 months, until a cardioversion. I'm still in normal rhythm nearly 3 years later, but continuing on an anticoagulant, and a beta blocker, advised because it slows the heart rate and possibly helps it stay in rhythm.

I scoured the internet, read up on triggers for AF and changed my diet in several ways. In the early weeks after the cardioversion I noticed that I got ectopic beats if I had foods like bacon, sausage or ham including prosciutto, so cut out all processed meat and stopped getting ectopics. Quite a few people on this site have recommended Dr John Day's book "The AFib Cure" for good info on how diet can help. drjohnday.com/the-promise-o...

Hope all goes well for you with your cardioversion.

[Ronnieboy]

I had an AF attack in 2009 with an erratic hr of 150 plus,normally its 45-50.I had a cardioversion,and to be honest I've not really had a problem since,it's just my experience,Ive probobly still got AF but it doesn't really affect my daily life.

[Ellie-Ann]

hi.

I’m 75 and have been in constant AFib since a year last Feb! Yet they still want to try a CV on me and I’m booked in for the 15 December with fingers and toes crossed. So after almost two years I’m getting some help now. I had to wait nearly a year for the cardiology appt. Good luck with yours. 👍☘️

[Dee5165]

I agree with JeanJeannie.

I was very symptomatic in December 2020, after a strenuous exercise. I had a Cardioversion 3 months later. It did feel great to be in NSR. However, I felt so good I returned to my usual routine and Afib returned 12 days later.

Instead of increasing meds, I research "Alternative or natural treatments for Afib and read about supplements. I followed this protocol. It takes 8-10 weeks to show benefits. Magnesium was a supplement that most people are deficient in because a large percentage of magnesium in your body is not absorbed and removed through urine.

After 7 weeks, I returned to NSR naturally. I gave my heart the time to remodel itself, ate smaller portions of food, walked slower, no alcohol, etc. I have been fortunate to stay in NSR without an ectopic for 1 1/2 years, however, I remained on these supplements. What works for one may not work for another, but I have been grateful for each day I remain in NSR.

Good Luck!

[gtkelly in reply to Dee5165]

Dee, you say that you followed a supplement protocol. What meds were you taking pre and post cardiversion? Am I right in assuming that you now no longer take any meds for Afib?

Regards,

Gerard

[Dee5165 in reply to gtkelly]

Hi Gerard. I was on BP meds, Sotalol and Eliquis before Cardioversion. After Cardioversion, I remained on BP meds.

[gtkelly]

Thank you Dee

[BlueINR]

Maybe I'm wrong, but don't think there is a "cure" for AF. Yes, you can be converted to NSR, but the conversion is just that, a conversion and not really a cure. If it lasts, great; however, I've had more than a dozen cardioversions, so they were not a cure, but got me back to NSR which is necessary. Because I have a mechanical heart valve, I will take warfarin for life, and that's fine with me. There is nothing difficult about it and I hope it gives me a slight edge not to develop a clot and have a stroke. My thought is AF can certainly be managed, but kind of doubt a "cure." Being managed is good.