CardioVersion

[capercaille]

Can anyone tell me of their experience, please, of undergoing a cardioversion for AFib/tachycardia?

[Lezzers]

My husband had an emergency cardioversion after a VT storm. You won't know anything about it as you'll be sedated, it doesn't take long to do and you'll be brought round quickly when it's been done. It's a very quick procedure, one that's very routine & with no after effects.I hope the cardioversion cures your AF/ tachycardia, I understand the success rate is very high.

Good luck

[capercaille in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you very much for your encouraging reply. I'm not sure how long I might have to wait for it, but I'm almost looking forward to it thanks to your encouragement!

[Lezzers in reply to capercaille]

Hopefully you'll not wait too long. Perhaps you could phone the hospital and ask how long the waiting list is & if you could go on the cancellation list

[capercaille in reply to Lezzers]

What a sensible idea … will do. Thank you.

[bobby1290]

Both times I had one, were successful. Sedated and obviously felt nothing at the time....TBH worst 2 things post-cardioversion was took 2-3weeks to fully feel back to normal, not that I felt ill, just felt bit more fragile? Also if person has hairy chest etc, have to get partly shaved, which is itchy growing back in 😉

[capercaille in reply to bobby1290]

Thank you, that's useful information. Fortunately, I don't have a hairy chest!

[Hidden]

I’ve only had chemical cardioversion in resus with Verapermil IV, two doses took me back into sinus rhythm from paf/vt. My father had cardioversion recently and was very well sedated and didn’t recall what happened. Take care 🦊x

[capercaille in reply to Hidden]

Thank you – it's because chemical cardioversion with Amiodarone was not (fully) successful that I am down for the non-chemical. I guess they work differently for each person; thank you for your reassurance.

[Hidden in reply to capercaille]

You’re welcome 🦊x

[Driver11]

Hi had my forth on Tuesday. It is very simple although you are in s day ward for most of the day. The procedure is only a few minutes, you will have a sore patch on the chest where the paddle is fittedNo other issues

Good luck

[capercaille in reply to Driver11]

Thank you – gosh, hope I don't have to have four! But good to know what to anticipate.

[iansHealth1]

Had my first (sedated, don’t ask, ouch) on Friday just gone.

You know nothing about it once the drugs kick in.

Going in, my HR was a constant 125bpm, once out, it’s settled to mid-60’s.

I was an in-patient anyway, but they kept me for 24 hours just to make sure all was well, which it was.

I feel ok for having it, but I’m taking it very easy as I don’t want the afib/arrhythmia coming back.

Good luck with yours.

[capercaille in reply to iansHealth1]

Thank you for replying – my HR much the same as yours (sometimes higher). I think they were hoping chemical intervention would/will work, but seems not to have. Don't know how you stop it coming back, but hope for the best!

[iansHealth1 in reply to capercaille]

An afterthought.

My high HR afib/arry was due to my thyroid becoming overactive - hyperthyroidism - and I’m still on steroids to control it.

It was, I’m told, as a side-effect of amondrian (wrong spelling).

I’m 100% sure that’s been looked at for you…

[capercaille in reply to iansHealth1]

Yes, I have been warned about that and have been told what symptoms to look for and to have a test at a certain date, but thank you for raising it.

[ScoobyTiger]

Have had 4 all successfully with different lengths of heart rate stability longest a year.Procedure painless and home within the day

[capercaille in reply to ScoobyTiger]

Thank you for replying – as I said in a reply to Driver11 above, I really hope I don't have to have four, but all our circumstances are different I suppose!

[RF260 in reply to ScoobyTiger]

Hi, I was only diagnosed with A fib 3 months ago, got a referral to cardiology at local hospital coming up soon and hope they will offer me a cardioversion. My main symptom is fatigue which previously I thought was due to beta blocker following a heart attack in April but has got even worse with A fib and taking an anticoagulant. My question given your experience is...after your cardioversion did they adjust your meds (anticoagulant, beta blocker etc) or did the cardioversion itself improve your energy without needing to adjust any meds ? Also if you drop back into AFib do you have to start back at GP again for another referral or is this done directly with consultant? Thanks.

[capercaille in reply to RF260]

Good questions to ask…I'm hoping the amiodarone will fix it before cardioversion necessasry.

[RF260 in reply to capercaille]

Hi again, had my referral appointment yesterday, I'm going on the list for cardioversion so I'm pleased about that as desperate to get some energy back..I am also going to gradually wean myself off the bisoprolol too so that will be interesting to gauge how much of the fatigue they may have been causing. I was asked to consider amiodorone whilst I wait for the cardioversion which may convert me but if not may help the cardioversion so I'm going to think about that over Xmas. I hope our appointments come through soon , are successful and last as long as possible.

[capercaille in reply to RF260]

I had a mitral valve replacement 7 weeks ago, after which I went into A Fib, I am currently on Amiodarone, Apixaban, Bisoprolol and Digoxin to keep things on an even keel. The surgeon wants to leave the meds as they are and re-check in March. It is possible Amiodarone may fix it without the need for electric cardioversion…here's hoping. I think they put you on Amiodarone first in the hope it will fix it without need for electric cardioversion. Worth a try?

[RF260 in reply to capercaille]

Thanks, yes my instinct is to give it a go despite the scary possible side effects, I think I will get off the bisoprolol by end of this month (24 hour holter showed rhr 38 to 120 so they've suggested I just keep as pill in pocket). Then start the amiodorone 1st Jan and see if it works or if not can go down the electric route when called. Good luck to us..

[Driver11]

My cardiologist says he likes me because I'm an interesting patient. They know what I have but don't really know why it happens. I had a CA 6yrs ago, now had 2 ablations and 4 cardioversion plus changed and increased medsKeeping fingers crossed that it's OK this time

[ScoobyTiger]

Mens changed to 120mg Sotalol twice a day for 3 months post pacemaker pre 4th cardioversion supposed to help cardioversion hold pace for longer.Have checked in December so we will see.

I have Myotonic Dystrophy so fatigue is a given.

[ScoobyTiger]

Re shaving mine was a nightmare. They shaved all left chest and back then realised I had pacemaker on left so had to shave all right chest and back. Itchy like mad for 2 weeks 😆

[HamishBoxer]

Not a problem but mine only lasted 2 hours, now in permanent AF.

[ScoobyTiger in reply to HamishBoxer]

Had check already reverted to AFCardiologist has said no point in repeating cardioversion again and does not propose ablation.

Feel a bit lost now as no action to be taken just have to live with it.

[HamishBoxer in reply to ScoobyTiger]

I must admit I am not really aware of my AF most of the time and have a reasonable amount of energy. Waiting for an Echo to see how things are re EF etc.

[capercaille in reply to ScoobyTiger]

Might drugs sort it?

[ScoobyTiger in reply to capercaille]

I am on 120mg sotalol twice a day snd 5mg aphixiban twice a day already and have pacemaker fitted so there is nothing left.I thought ablation would have been offered.

[NLGA]

have you had it yet ? I am on a list now

[capercaille in reply to NLGA]

No, it's been cancelled as Amiodarone (3-4 months) seems to have done the trick (fingers crossed).

[NLGA in reply to capercaille]

that’s good news

I loaded with 600mg Amiodarone Then 400mg the next week and had a echo and ECG and was clear when I dropped to 200mg for week three unfortunately my AF returned so it’s cardioversion for me

[capercaille in reply to NLGA]

Well, I'm hoping AF doesn't return (frightened it might!) …but I really hope that cardioversion does the trick for you – and that you get it done quite soon…Thank you for replying. Keep on keeping on!