Atrial flutter

[NorthLeedsJohnny]

Hi all. I had 2 x catheter ablations for multiple ectopics last October.the second was successful. A few weeks ago, I had very severe dehydration, because of acute gastroenteritis. The end result of that is atrial flutter! I've been in hospital twice and am now waiting for a cardioversion, followed by another catheter ablation.

Since coming home, I've been extremely tired, especially in the afternoons and invariably fall asleep for quite some time each day. Is this to be expected? Any further info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Johnny

[NorthLeedsJohnny]

Hi. Thanks for getting back to me. I'm sorry that you're still unwell.

Yes, the ablation (burning) take place after an EPS works out where the problems are. Last October, between the two procedures, around 35 areas were treated. Since then I've been fine, with no problems. Then I had the gastroenteritis and unfortunately that gave me the issue I now have.

Last year, the EPS identified problems in the ventricle but this time, its in the atria, which I'm told is beating at around 300 beats a minute.

Hopefully, the doctors will get it sorted. I hope yours on Pakistan can get you sorted too.

All the best. Johnny

[Hidden]

Hi, I think you will get a lot more replies & advice if you post in the AFA (Atrial Fibrillation Association) section of Health Unlocked.

Pat

[NorthLeedsJohnny in reply to Hidden]

Oh right. Thanks for that.

Johnny

[NorthLeedsJohnny]

Thx for that

[Prada47]

Hi NorthLeeds

Hope it's all going well with you now. I have Multiple Ectopic beats which account for approximately 10 % of my Heart Beats did you ever get told how frequent your Ectopic beats were ?? Am I correct in thinking an Ablation is to stop them and a Cardioversion is to correct your rhythm ? I am going for a stress perfusion scan next week to see what's going on as my ectopic beats are now causing a problem, they are talking about an EP study but want to check previous by pass and stents first !!

regards

from NorthAccrington lol

[NorthLeedsJohnny in reply to Prada47]

Hi again. I was doing fine until I got the gastro problem. I was so severely dehydrated that my heart has been affected.

When I had the ectopics, I was told I had in the order of 15,000 a day.

Yes, the ablation corrected the ectopics. The cardioversion will hopefully correct my rhythm. Ive bee. Told that. In order to reduce the risk of AF, I will need an ablation again. I think the difference this time will be that the ablation last time was in the ventricles. This time it'll be the atria.

Must go now.

Johnny

[NorthLeedsJohnny]

Hi again. I'm so sorry that you're having such a bad time. I was told that the EPS could have side effects but fortunately, I didn't have any. You need to keep going back to the doctors until they listen to your concerns and do something about it.

Johnny

[NorthLeedsJohnny]

Other than cardioversion and EPS with ablation, I don't know enough about your problem to comment on it either way.

I was told that side effects possible during the EPS include developing an arrhythmia during the procedure, possible blood clots broken off by the catheter and general infection and bruising at the site of where the catheter goes on. In my case, that was my right groin area.

[not2worry]

My husband was diagnosed with AF about a year ago. Fatigue is the major symptom of AF. The doc explained it’s like your heart is running a 24/7 marathon. It won’t kill you but you have absolutely no energy. After 2 failed CardioVersion and the cardiologist conclusion that ablation was not an alternative a Pace Maker was recommended. My husband balked at the idea but was so drained every day decided to do the procedure. The day after the surgery he woke up, got out of bed and proclaimed “I feel great”. A PM isn’t the answer to everyone’s AF but it certainly has helped my husband lead a more “normal” life.

Yours From Across The Pond

[NorthLeedsJohnny in reply to not2worry]

Thanks for that. Apparently I have atrial flutter, not AF but as they're so similar, no doubt the side effects are too. We'll have to see what my cardioversion brings. When I was in hospital initially, another guy on the bay had one, to correct what seemed like a constant high heart rate. Following the procedure, he said he felt great - for 2 hrs, then his high hr returned. I'm hoping that's not my experience! When I had my ventricular ablation last year, I remember being told that the ventricles were far less risky to ablate than the, atria and a pacemaker shouldn't be an issue. Presumably, as I have atrial flutter, any ablation will be in the more risky zone, where the need for a pacemaker is more likely. Time will tell!

Johhny