Hello everyone. I have an ablation on 2015 for AF and the results were perfect for 7 years, no medication and no limitations at all. Suddenly on Nov 2021 the AF returned, I was put on medication and FA was going on and of for all year 2022, then we decided to have another (2°) ablation on Novembre 2022. Everything worked ok for 3 moths, then when the EP told me to cut off all medications, in 3 days I started to suffer ATRIAL FLUTTER. That was 2 weeks ago, now on Ameriadone, Bisoprolol and Rivaxobaran, nothing is working, so EP want to go with a cardioversion. I will go with his advice, but as I read in many post here, seems that the cardioversion will only last from weeks to months, I now know that this procedure will not cure my atrial flutter, so what is the point to do it anyway?.
By the way, I´m a 56 year old male, 164 lb, very active on run, swiming, bike, tennis, etc (well, not anymore sice 2 weeks ago).
Please, can you feed me with some thoughts, advice or share some experience from you nice people?
Alberto.
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ENDURO55
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It may hold. If not, an ablation for typical aflutter has a 90-95% success rate. You really don't want to stay on Ameriadone any longer than necessary.
Had my full ablation after a few cardoversions and other than a few minor flareups I take Pill in the pocket (300) Flecanide that kills it in 2 hours 1-2 times a year. No other meds or anything daily. You might want to look at the or daily Flec dosing. I am 210 and very active at 67 - Pass for much younger.
All I can say is if you don't want the cardioversion I will step into your place instead. It may sound strange but I really like having them. You go in with your heart playing up and feeling rotten, have a quick electric zap on the chest, then wake cured. At least that's what has always happened to me. I really don't understand why some members here are critical of them. Yes, afterwards you have to take it easy for a few weeks and not exert yourself or you could slip back into AF.
Cardioversions have kept me going mostly for years, though I must confess to walking up a hill the day after one and I went immediately back into AF. They are not generally a forever cure. but can help until you have an ablation or find a drug that suits you .
Amiodarone didn't halt my AF or flutter either, though I must say that Flecainide did for quite a while.
I agree with your EP, who says have the cardioversion then see how you get on.
By the way, it was my 3rd ablation that really helped calm my heart.
Thanks Jean for your advice and share with me your experience and comments! I think that the cardioversion is a necessary step in this process, then we will see what is next...
The point of a cardioversion is that it returns heart to NSR. How long that will last is anyone's guess. It could be a couple weeks or several years. NSR is the best rhythm for heart to have, hence its name. Not everyone can be convrted/controlled with meds. That's my situation.
Think it worked once, but that was it.Having had RVB with all 18 or so afib episodes, I always felt so much better after a cardioversion. That's just my personal experience.
My AF ablation revealed flutter after about a week of NSR. They tried to cardiovert (internally via a catheter!) but it didn't work. They tried amiodarone, no effect. 3 months later I had a flutter ablation (really quick and just under sedation as its in the right atrium. ) that was Jan 2021. NSR since then, 2 years of great life and back skiing for the first time in 5 years.
and as my CHAD score is now just 1, (age) , last week the EP suggested I could stop the anticoag (edoxban)
I feel that way..what's the point..so haven't done it for third timeNow agonizing over pacemaker choice.yes or no..affecting my psyche day .night.take atenolol.blood thinner.walk on eggshells.each case unique
My hubby has had two ablations and 3 cardio versions in all. The third was in August 2021 and touch wood and anything/everything else he is still ok. He has had a few hiccups along the way - racing heart and irregular showing on his b/p monitor many times but since the last CV he was put on Flec.. twice a day which we think has helped. Hope the comments on this forum will comfort you. You are still so young - good luck and all the best.
I would go with a cardioversion and give it a try. The sense of it is you will have relief for however, long it does last. Some people are incredibly lucky. If it works, you will feel such a difference the moment you wake up. Flutter can be difficult to map I have a typical flutter. The problem with flutter is that even my pacemaker can do nothing with that. Thankfully, it never bothered me all that much that I was aware of. The first week having a pacemaker, I could feel it or if I do a bit much but otherwise it’s not really an issue and even when it does act up, I am aware of it, but that’s all. Unless there’s a reason you don’t want to try the cardioversion other than it can be short term well, it’s your body. My first one only lasted 3 1/2 weeks but it was 3 1/2 weeks of heaven after feeling so miserable, I woke with a smile on my face and could not believe before even sitting up in the bed how good I was feeling. I had arrived using a wheelchair and was able to walk to the car upon leaving. I was able to walk my dog around our property of about an acre and do things I had not done for over two years. They did try another one a month later and unfortunately that failed. they were doing it that time and had planned on putting me on a new medication in hopes of keeping me NSR That also could be a possibility with you. The cardioversion itself may not last, but if they pair it with a medication that works you could be one of the lucky ones. At your age, you don’t want to be miserable already. My doctor is of the belief of not continuing the same things that do not work. I just had a pacemaker fitted a couple of weeks ago. My doctor also believes in quality of life and not wasting time getting to it. I am quite a bit older than you, but we all want quality of life as soon as we can. As you know if it is not curable so to me it’s the end result that matters. Good luck whatever you decide.
thanks Dawn, for taking your time sharing with me your experience and thougths. I decided yesterday reading you all and talking with my EP to go ahead with the cardioversion. It seems a simple procedure and combined with meds maybe it will work for a long time and feel good again , as you said, maybe I will be the lucky one!
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