Cardioversion

[Nomis21]

On my second Pacemaker within 2 years and been in permanent AF ever since, was at the PM clinic yesterday and was offered a cardioversion within the next 6 weeks.Anyone that's had cardioversion what's your experience? Did it cure your AF? Did it return? Or was the process unsuccessful?

I know we're all different but just curious to hear others experiences.

[Buffafly]

Accept it asap, you’d be mad not to 😀

[Nomis21 in reply to Buffafly]

I already have 👍no brainer for me just hoping it helps 🤞

[Buffafly in reply to Nomis21]

Best wishes!

[Cliff_G]

Cardioversion is a good choice when your fibbing is persistent/"permanent". If it's paroxysmal, then there's almost a guarantee it won't stop further episodes.

But even with persistent/permanent it is a statistical outcome. Sometimes they combine it with a short course of Amiodarone, before to prime the heart and after to help keep it in rhythm for a period.

Best wishes for a good outcome!

[Afibflipper]

I’ve had 2 - 1st lasted only 4 days due to infection. 2nd lasted 2 months, I felt great but alas it came back - I don’t have a PM (I’m considering another just because I was more or less ok for 2 yrs after ablation (came back last month after another infection x

[bobby1290]

Since being diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy I have had 3 episodes of AF 1st time was During Chemo, which went on to discover underlying genetic heart issue. 2 further times of AF ,triggered by walking up a hill, but cause was Stress and drinking too much previous night. 2 last occasions I received a Cardioversion. Both times successful, two pads stuck on chest and back, put to sleep, then given elec shock to stop/restart Heart, felt ok both times, no major ill effect, allowed out several hours later, although took a few weeks to fully recover...all the best of luck...

[Nomis21 in reply to bobby1290]

Thanks for your feedback Bobby, good to know you're experience, all the best 👍

[Suesouth]

had cardioversion 2 years ago, lasted 2 months, then had CA and ultimately a pacemaker, AF behaving at moment, but now have heart failure!

[Nomis21 in reply to Suesouth]

Quite similar I think, had CA knowing there was a high probability of total heart block and pacemaker, done in July 2022 developed AF then in Feb 24 diagnosed with HF, had a pacemaker upgrade to a bi ventricular 7 weeks ago due to delayed QRS, currently still in permanent AF which is knocking me sideways! Cardioversion planned early next month.

Thanks for your feedback, good to hear from others in a similar situation 👍

[Tapanac]

oh I didn’t know you could have a cardioversion with a pacemaker

If you’re offered one go for it and good luck

[Nomis21 in reply to Tapanac]

Yes its possible but I believe pads have to be a certain distance away from PM and there is additional risks due to the charge affecting the PM settings.Booked in for early Dec

Thanks 👍

[Tapanac in reply to Nomis21]

Here is wishing you all the best. You’ll have a lovely Christmas as I’m sure and hoping all will go well x

[beach_bum]

takes about 15 min, absolutely painless, they put you out for a moment…reset, your back in nsr. Fun tip, if you are hairy like me, shave before you go…you will thank me 😁

[Nomis21 in reply to beach_bum]

Good to know, many thanks

[Jajarunner]

I've had eleven, they are easy peasy and lasted between them between two weeks and four years 🤞🤞🤞

[Nomis21 in reply to Jajarunner]

Wow eleven, how are you currently? In NSR?

[Jajarunner in reply to Nomis21]

Yes, have been for 19 months thanks to amiodarone. Stopped that eight weeks ago to gave fourth ablation, heart a bit dicey but hoping it's the 'blanking period' 🙏🙏🙏😱🙄

[Ducky2003]

Hi. I'm having number 9 on Wednesday. Mine have lasted between 4 days (the first one 8 years ago) and 2 years.

Had last one in April but I'm waiting for MV repair surgery so my heart is on the back foot anyway.

As long as they give you good sedation, you won't feel a thing. You will get slight and I mean slight, burn marks from the pads so make sure you have some Savlon at home.

It's a terrific feeling when you wake up in NSR.

Hope all goes well.

[Nomis21 in reply to Ducky2003]

Hi Ducky ,thanks for the info, guessing it's all straight forward with little risks?I have total heart block, pacemaker dependant and just recently (6 weeks ago) had my two lead PM upgraded to a bi ventricular PM.

Assuming there is no additional risks other than what I read about the electrical charge could potentially affect the Pacemaker settings but I'm sure they have that all covered.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Nomis21]

That I can't advise on the PM but I'm sure they would only offer if it were safe to do so.It obviously does have its risks and even after 8, I don't get blasé about them.

Having had an ablation, a nasty tooth extraction and facing open heart surgery, its my lesser of the evils. Hopefully, Wednesday will be as straightforward as the rest have been.😊

[Snowgirl65]

I've had two cardioversions in the past and felt absolutely wonderful as soon as I woke up from them. However, I can't recall how long they lasted, but certainly quite a length of time as I don't recall being disappointed that I had them.

[Nomis21 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thanks snowgirl, it's all positive feedback from what I have read about a cardioversion procedure but would I be right in saying that the likelihood of staying in NSR permanently is quite slim as most say there AF has returned at some point

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Nomis21]

I guess you'd be correct in saying that. In both my cases, I was having very long a-fib episodes, and the cardioversion was a way to quickly stop them. The first was a few days after a questionable cryo ablation procedure where I went into prolonged a-fib, and the second was after that same questionable EP abruptly switched my meds without first weaning me off the first. I was in a-fib 2-1/2 days before he finally cardioverted me.

[GinGal]

I have AF and had both a cardioversion and an ablation bit neithet worked. A pacemaker may be on the cards down the track.