What is pip

[Anxious37]

I have heard of this pill in pocket . Does anyone have this if so what tablet is this ? Did you have to ask doctor for it ?

[BobD Volunteer]

PIP is a method by which a type of drug, often flecainide is taken at onset of an AF event to attempt to terminate it. Some people prefer to do this than take a maintainance dose of the drug all the time to try and maintain normal sinus rhythm (NSR) all the time.

In the very early days of my AF (2004) I was prescribed atenalol (then the go to beta blocker) and 300mg of flecainide to take (no more in any 24 hours) should an event occur. As soon as I saw an EP he switched me to propafanone alone daily and listed me for an ablation. Three ablations later in 2008 I finally said goodbye to AF.

[Anxious37 in reply to BobD]

Thank you but now I have another question what is an ablations ? Why did you have it ?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Anxious37]

Because I wanted to be AF free. I was offered my first in late 2004 but in ignorance and fear I declined but as my AF progressed I soon changed my mind and begged for it. That it took three before my AF was terminated may be due to waiting too long.

[Anxious37 in reply to BobD]

Wow AF free what I would give to feel better. But can’t even get appointment with GP let alone the consultant been told it could take up to a year . Also wish I was able to go private but not at this point

[Eddybear in reply to Anxious37]

Hi Anxious37, get your doctor to refer you privately to a specialist. It's not that expensive. I think I paid £200, and he got me straight onto a waiting list. Rather than waiting a year or more for an appointment, it pays to push.

[Buzby62 in reply to Anxious37]

This info sheet on Treatment Options for AF should answer your questions, it covers PIP and Ablation.

api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Best wishes

[Buffafly]

Hi, I suggest you visit the AFA website and read their useful leaflets explaining AF and different treatments. Knowledge is power! (Credit to BobD).

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[wilsond]

Ablation a proceedure which seeks the destroy the cells in the heart causing rythym problems,either with cold( cryo) or heat ( radio frequency)If you look.on the arrthymia site,it's explained.

Our own patient leaflet is invaluable.

Also BHF have a good video explanation.

It has a 70% ( roughly) success rate. Re-dos are sometimes needed to achieve.

For Atrial Flutter it is higher, 95%.

I had it done 2022. No flutter since,and although still on maintenance dose of flecanide no AF of significance.

[Lupaal]

I have an extra bisoropel to take if/when I go into afib to slow my heart rate down and hopefully keep me from needing A and E.

[Ppiman]

Keep in mind that the level of symptoms you suffer are central to whether you should have treatment, including ablation (although some would argue that one). An elderly friend has had permanent AF of years on end with no treatment at all except warfarin; and his AF has cause him no troubles.

All treatment comes with potential side effects, with bisoprolol (and similar - beta blockers or calcium agonists) the least for many, and flecainide more risky and needing a specialist to prescribe. The former is a good PIP to take as needed but works too slowly for many, so if your symptoms are difficult to deal with as well as short-lived, bisoprolol won't be useful as a PIP (it takes at least an hour to exert its heart-slowing effect). Flecainide works much more quickly (i.e. less than an hour to exert its rhythm-normalising effects) so makes an effective PIP for some forms of - and some patients with - AF.

Steve

[Vonnegut]

It refers to taking a drug when an episode of AF occurs. I was first prescribed Flecainide to take in that way when it stopped episodes in a few hours (very occasionally with a low dose of Bisoprolol added if heart rate was over 140 twenty minutes after taking the Flecainide which it hardly ever was).

[Birdsaplenty]

Hello, I have had 3 Ablations,but have had 3 episodes of AF in last 15 months since third ablation .my drug is Verapamil pip, and it works for me . Good luck