Cardioversions used for rate control while waiting for Ablation?

[KootenayTrails]

Wondering if there are others waiting for ablations, who are needing frequent cardioversions? Ablation date not until May 31st due to waiting list. My AF which started every 10 days’ish on Feb 6th, is now daily, often multiple times. Sometimes I convert naturally. However I have been told by EP Team, that because of my low heart rate (and therefore inability to tolerate any antiarrythmia drug except dronadarone 1/4 dose (100mg) BID) and tendency to faint or pre-faint, I should go to Emerg for cardioversion after an hour or two in AF. My understanding is they’re trying to keep my paroxysmal AF from becoming “persistent”, which apparently reduces effectiveness of the ablation. I have had 3 cardioversions now in the last 8 days. NSR and feel good right away after first one every time, but this just seems crazy. Anyone else going through this? Recommendations? (64M, no coronary disease or hypertension , healthy weight, active lifestyle but impossible for last month due to constant AF episodes).

[BobD Volunteer]

My only thought is that DCCV is not without risk and that is far too frequent.

[KootenayTrails in reply to BobD]

Thank you, yes concerned about that as are the Emerg staff. I used to wait 12 - 20 hrs before going in. The AF is more intense now though, can’t imagine staying in it that long anymore. Even when I don’t faint, I am incapacitated during AF episodes now, really can only lay around as dizzy when I stand, short of breath walking … Maybe there will be an ablation cancellation soon.

[Jajarunner]

Once my cardioversions got to three in six weeks I was regarded as urgent and seen for an ablation within weeks. Are you keeping your EP/arrhythmia nurses informed, can you push for urgent. The hospital that did my cardioversions were also very good at informing my EP that I couldn't continue like that and needed to be seen for ablation asap. Hospitals were respectively Addenbrookes and Papworth who work v closely together. Hope this helps and good luck xxx

[KootenayTrails in reply to Jajarunner]

That’s good to know, thanks. Yeah, our EP Team follow up regularly by phone (they’re 6 hrs away (BC, Canada)), and Friday told us I’m next on the cancellation list. We were told that the people ahead of us are also urgent. Mostly people like me, who for different reasons aren’t tolerating antiarrythmic meds. Shortage of EPS trained to do ablations. We believe they’re doing the best they can, as are our local Emerg Drs and Internists who are as frustrated as I am.