Cardioversion

[Qualipop]

I happened to come across a programme on Freeview last night about an A&E department, not something I'd normally watch but I heard them say "Cardioversion". They showed a man actually having the procedure; explained why his AF needed to be corrected, the risks and benefits of the procedure. It was quite tense seeing them waiting to see whether he went back into sinus rhythm which he did. As soon as he was wheeled back to his wife he said almost immediately how much better he felt already and how much brighter even though he still wasn't fully round from the anaesthetic.

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes many here benefit greatly but it is not a cure for anything. Helps find out if you can be reverted and if you feel better in NSR which can sign post other treatments such as ablation. I had to simulate one for a film on AF many years ago which was fun.

[Qualipop in reply to BobD]

I didn't suggest it was a cure just that it was really interesting to watch. I think it would benefit anyone who was going for it for the first time and allay a lot of worry

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Qualipop]

We do that all the time but thanks for your input.

[ObiDyer in reply to BobD]

It clearly is a cure, albeit possibly not a permanent one. But the same is true of many other 'cures'..

[BobD Volunteer in reply to ObiDyer]

Sorry . It may be a reset but there is no cure for AF. Symptoms may be removed is all. The condition remains and symptoms will return at some point.

[Jalia]

I didn't see the program but I can confirm how great I felt to he back in sinus straight after cardioversion , being a veteran of very many such procedures.

[Gumbie_Cat]

I’m listed for one, and really hoping it will work. Last year, when I was still on a PIP, I was told to attend A&E for a ‘DCCV’ if the pill didn’t work within 6 hours.

It didn’t, but they just gave me more Flecainide and sent me home once the rate was under 100. I’ve never come out of AFib since that episode, apart from 48 hours after an ablation. (Which included a cardioversion at the end.) Still wish they had given me one back in the autumn as my EP had suggested.

Though I guess it was due to progress to persistent anyway.

[BlueINR]

Yes, I've felt better immediately after the many cardioversions I've had, as they got me back to NSR. I was always well sedated and had no discomfort. Afterwards I was always told to lie flt on my back for an hour, which is boring, but better than having afib. And while cardioversions got me back to NSR, unfortunately it may not keep you in NSR for more than a few days or weeks, no way to know unless another episode comes along.

I've had 3 cardiac ablations, most recent Nov of last year, no afib, knock on wood. Hope last one did the trick.

[Mugsy15]

Two weeks before my Cardioversion my wife and I were on a regular walk of ours which includes a steep zigzag path up a hill. I was in persistent AF and so low on energy I had to stop and get my breath back at each bend.

A week after the procedure I ran up that hill; all the way to the top without stopping, and did a 'Rocky' celebratory dance at the top. My missus said: "goodness me I've got my husband back."

[Rainfern in reply to Mugsy15]

Hi Mugsy, I hope you continue to feel so much better! I'm going for cardioversion in the next few weeks and same as you had, I have persistent AF and can't do hills or long walks any more. Just wondered if you followed any special recovery regime in the days/weeks following cardioversion? My husband wants his wife back!

[Mugsy15]

No, the procedure itself is nothing to worry about; I'd be totally relaxed if I had to do it again today.

I woke up in recovery and asked the nurse observing me if the regular beeps I could hear were my heartbeat. She said they were and I grinned happily.

From the next day I felt right back to normal and was out walking daily with loads of energy.

I was still in sinus rhythm a year later when I had an ablation. It's now a year after that and I have no AF. Plenty of arrythmia, but I can easily live with that.

I hope it works as well for you, good luck!

[Qualipop in reply to Mugsy15]

I can't understand why I keep getting emails in reply to your posts

[Mugsy15]

Emails from whom?

[Qualipop in reply to Mugsy15]

From anyone who replies to your posts. The notifications seem to come to me instead of to you. The latest one today was a notification that you had replied to me. The one 4 hours ago that starts 'No, the procedure itself is nothing to worry about'. I got an email saying that you'd replied to me and a link to go to the reply but I hadn't posted anything. I think it may be a glitch in the system because BeKInd also got a reply to her instead of the original poster. Yesterday I also got one saying you had replied to me but I hadn't posted anything.

[Mugsy15]

Strange. A glitch indeed.