Two weeks after ablation and I'm on the list for a cardioversion

[JoDogBlue]

It's two weeks today since I had an ablation for AF. I wasn't in AF before or immediately after the procedure but felt bad on day two with racing irregular pulse, dizziness etc.

I had an ecg last week which showed me to be in AF and the arrhythmia nurse has called to let me know and tell me that I've been put on the list for a cardioversion.

I don't know when that will be, the nurse said 'several weeks'. I'm not going (back) on amiadarone, I really struggled with side effects.

Is there a realistic chance I'll go into, and stay in, normal rhythm before the cardioversion?

I know it's early days but the nurses have clearly decided to have an intervention in place if needed.

[kitenski]

It's possible you may revert to sinus rhythm without an intervention, have you been taking it easy and resting lots since the ablation?

[JoDogBlue in reply to kitenski]

Nothing but resting, a few short walks in the last three days

[kitenski in reply to JoDogBlue]

fingers crossed it sorts itself out, I went back into Afib after my first ablation, they reckoned it was myocarditis from the procedure. Keep taking it easy and stress does make things worse for me anyhow!

[Jalia]

Who knows! Any thing can happen. How fast are you ? Are you taking betablockers to slow down rate ?

[JoDogBlue in reply to Jalia]

Rate is about 100 on 5mg bisoprolol

[Jalia in reply to JoDogBlue]

Doesn't sound too bad. Don't overdo things. Surely you wouldn't want to go back on Amiodarone anyway unless it put you back into sinus rhythm.

[JoDogBlue in reply to Jalia]

I really don't want the sleeplessness, exhaustion and skin sensitivity again!

[Ppiman in reply to JoDogBlue]

The latest study I read was that a 4-6 week cut off point was the most effective "blanking period" inside which a reoccurrence of AF wasn't a sign of ablation failure. That would mean you have 2-4 weeks for things to settle. Even after this, most people seem to have far less frequent and less symptomatic AF, so your ablation should still prove to be worthwhile and, with luck and a following wind, keep you away from amiodarone.

Steve

[JoDogBlue in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for replying. Here's hoping things settle and I go into normal rhythm

[Ducky2003]

They sometimes put you on a loading dose of Amiodarone prior to DCCV to give the heart a better chance of staying in rhythm. My last DCCV lasted 2 years until AF kicked of again last week so I have another one booked for Thursday.

[JoDogBlue in reply to Ducky2003]

How did you get a CV so quickly? I'm told a few weeks which probably means months

[Ducky2003 in reply to JoDogBlue]

Right place, right time. I had notified my EP and he put me on the list. I hadn't a clue how long the list was so, I contacted the coordinator yesterday. He advised 3 months normal list but I'm awaiting heart surgery as well, so may be within 6 weeks.However, he'd not long had a cancellation for Thursday, which he'd offered to a couple of others, who said "no" so, as it was 5pm yesterday (Friday) and pre-op would be Monday, he offered it to me, as I was on the phone and I snapped his hand off.

I suppose the lists are always going to vary from trust to trust but make sure the coordinator is aware that you will take a cancellation, if you are able, but advise the coordinator directly, rather than your EP.

[JoDogBlue in reply to Ducky2003]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd leap at a cancellation too if one was offered!

[Ducky2003 in reply to JoDogBlue]

I was incredibly lucky to have phoned when I did. Yes, do make them aware you'd be available for a cancellation as they will make a note of it as they are keen to fill slots. Good luck.

[MWIC]

after my ablation I had a few stressful weeks - 1 episode lasting 4 days which resulted in a visit to A&E on Xmas day and IV metoprolol brought my HR down, however back up to 160 next day. This lasted 4 days and talk of trying Digoxin or Cardioversion if still same after 7 days. Day 5 of 2nd episode I chewed through raw garlic cloves and had a glass of Bicarbonate of soda in water - immediately broke out of the rhythm - up and down for an hour then settled and it’s been settled since (3+ months ago) - Aware of how this sounds and I’m not normally into quackery but Look no idea what/why but all I know is the garlic burnt and when I swallowed it I could feel the heat going down- I believe this somehow “shocked” me out of the rhythm (oesophagus passes the heart) - who knows - no idea if this would work for anyone else but couldn’t not share it with you - Hope it settles one way or another for you - don’t give up hope yet you’re still very early days mate

[JoDogBlue in reply to MWIC]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I can see the logic in what you tried! I'll give things a couple of weeks to settle

[Ducky2003 in reply to MWIC]

Vampires with AF would have no hope then 🤣.I'll try anything, to be honest.

[OzJames]

maybe ask to try Flecainide with Bisoprolol. As long as your heart is structurally sound it seems to help me when I’m in AF

[Snowgirl65]

I'm no doctor, but in my experience (3 ablations) and you being in such an early stage of recovery, you could very well go back into NSR on your own. But as a "just in case," it's good you're on the list for a CV.

[Hidden]

Your story sounds similar to mine.

It’s good that you’re in queue for a CV.

Ablation #1 was followed by a CV 9 days later. I stayed in SR for 13 months. The CV worked beautifully, until it didn’t.

Then a series of CV’s, followed by a recent ablation, #2.

Ablation #2 upset my heart. I never really was in anything close to steady SR afterwards. My wounded heart wasn’t ready to settle. I experienced what you’re evidently experiencing. Did not feel at all good.

A CV two days later, too soon and done in an ER by folks who barely knew what they were doing—a mistake going there on my part—didn’t work.

So my EP put me on the dreadful amiodarone. I converted to SR two days later. (Maybe I would have anyway without the dreadful amiodarone? Will never know.). I was on amiodarone for a month. It was AWFUL. I’ve been off it for 5 weeks now, feel much better, and have stayed in SR. Wild horses couldn’t get me to take amiodarone again…unless maybe it was truly and definitively the last resort, the very last resort.

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel you’re in…but sometimes one can only see it in hindsight. Bumpy journey through the tunnel. I’m sure you’ll get where you’re going, but I understand right now it is definitely no fun being where you are.

Hang in. It’s possible you’ll convert to SR spontaneously. If not, a CV might well do it. Know things will be better.

[JoDogBlue in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much. I have to admit that the nurse telling me I was in AF, although I already 'knew' left me feeling pretty low. We discussed amiadarone and when I explained the side effects I'd had he dropped the idea. The good news is I'm feeling better apart from the tiredness and breathlessness that come with AF if I try to do anything much.

[referee1]

I thought that you had a cardioversion first,and then if that did not work the next step was an ablation. I really do not understand this especially as you were not in AF before the procedure.

[JoDogBlue in reply to referee1]

I had a successful cardioversion last year and remained in AF up to an ablation. I was likely to go back into AF if left. The ablation was a long term fix with the aim of getting off meds.

[Mugsy15 in reply to referee1]

A CV is often the first option prior to ablation, and the success or otherwise of that is thought to predict the likelihood of a successful ablation. However it is quite common for a CV to be used post-ablation in cases like that of the OP.