af with rvr

[Sidney115]

Hi I have suffered with arterial fibrillation for 4 years had cardiac ablation 6 weeks ago but hasn’t worked now have pericarditis and Tuesday I was took into hospital with heart rate of 197 given lots of tablets to bring it down and back into rhythm which took a while. now been told I have af with rvr. As anyone else had this happen.

[Rambler398]

Sorry Sidney, I can’t help. You’ve had a very rough time and I wish you well. Keep us posted 👍

[Popepaul]

I think that many people with afib experience both an irregular and rapid pulse. The rapid pulse is sometimes called RVR or rapid ventricular rate. I myself experience this, my pulse has gone to 150ish. It is very uncomfortable. Occasionally my irregular pulse is not accompanied by a rapid rate. Bisoprolo has been helpful.

[bean_counter27 in reply to Popepaul]

I might be wrong but I thought it was the norm for most people with AFand that's why we discuss rate control (stop heart rate going too high) versus rhythm control. I'm on both with Metoprolol for rate and flecainide for rhythm. Maybe I'm just focused on my situation....In my case a sure sign I'm having an AF episode is my HR going to 100+ for no apparent reason. It would go higher but my Metoprolol does its job!

[Ppiman in reply to bean_counter27]

I sometimes get rates from 100-180 but also well below that, and a friend with permanent AF has a pretty normal rate. I think a high rate (RVR) is common, though.

Steve

[bean_counter27 in reply to Ppiman]

I've recorded 6 episodes in past year with max resting HR of 105BPM compared to my normal resting HR in 50's. So it's pretty obvious when I'm in AF even without using Kardia.

[Ppiman in reply to bean_counter27]

That’s like me. I get palpitations very regularly and AF much less so. It’s the racing heart that is always the give away, although I do get AF at a lower rate, too.

Steve

[Popepaul in reply to bean_counter27]

Yes you are right. It is probably fair to say that a large majority experience rvr during a bout of paroxysmal afib.Regards

[Ppiman]

I haven't heard of it but I have read of it. Oh dear, what bad luck. The atrial wall is naturally thin, I have read, and the heat from the catheter can irritate the pericardium, as seems to have occurred with you. Has the doctor explained why this might have occurred? Could it yet be something that resolves once the scar tissue forms and blocks the rogue electrical signals (since you are within the "blanking period")?

Steve

[kocoach]

A couple of month's ago I was taken to the ER by ambulance as the paramedics said I was in rvr with a 166 HR. Luckily I knew the ER Dr. that was assigned to me. He asked why I was here and I told him I wouldn't have come had not the paramedics said I should go. He told me even though I was in RVR that being on apixaban takes the risk of having a stroke so I could have stayed home on this one. Hope this helps a little.

[Letofeyd]

How do you know your catheter ablation hasn't worked? Did the doctor tell you that? Because at 6 weeks your heart has not yet healed, so the procedure is sort of not completed yet. Arrhythmia can still happen while you are in the 3 month healing period - the "blanking period".

Take it easy and rest - avoid exertion, alcohol and caffeine.

I hope you can get through the blanking period and your heart comes out alright.🍀🤞