Atrial fibrilation

[aberk]

After 2 years on imbrutanib have developed a fib. any one else have it and how was it treated?

[jjaarons]

It’s a large and complicated subject. Ibrutinib is associated with afib. You may need to switch to another drug. Treatment of afib involves both rate and rhythm control. It can be as simple as adding a medication or it can involve electrical cardio version, ablation of the aberrant pathway or watchman procedure. Anticoagulants may be necessary to prevent stroke. There is a wealth of information on line. You should discuss with your oncologist and a cardiologist. I had my third episode in 20 years. I am in the middle of a re-evaluation of meds, holter etc. Everyone is different

[Older_Mainer in reply to jjaarons]

I have had CLL for 25 years and dealt with afib off and on for 50 years. I know my onions.

Yes the medical community can do a lot but don't count on doctors to solve this problem alone. You need to do a lot to avoid triggers of many kinds. Stop drinking, do not get dehydrated, avoid stress, keep your potassium, magnesium, and sodium levels in bounds.

Good luck!

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Aberk, we have had a lot of discussions around Afib and Ibrutinib. If you will see the posts under the heading "RELATED POSTS" in a column on this page (if on computer, it is right beside your open post and there are 5 titles that include Atrial Fibrilation and Ibrutinib).

You and your Dr. will need to talk and work out what is the best practice for you, but the members who have posted give a lot of good information for you to share with your Dr. or for you to know before your Dr. shares with you.

Best wishes

[W00dfin]

After 2 1/2 years of Ibrutinib I developed AFib and my hematologist immediately stopped the ibrutinib. Fortunately my counts were good and I haven’t needed any treatment for the past year and a half. Unfortunately the afib did not go away after stopping the Ibrutinib. My cardiologist performed the cardioversion procedure and it was successful. I am now on Eliquis for the rest of my life according to my cardiologist.

[Ibru]

My Husband was on ibrutinib for a few years when he developed a fib, but only about once a month for 8 hours. He was put on diltiazem and they lowered the imbruvica from 3 pills to one pill. No more a fib.

[skunkbay53]

My husband got AFIB after 8 months of Imbruvica. He was sent to the ER and spent a night in the hospital being stabilized. He was immediately taken off Imbruvica and put on Metoprolol 50mg...a few months later he was started on Calquence. No problems since. His Apple Watch saved his life as it showed that he was in AFIB.

[DelrayDave]

To make a long story short, I decided on an ablation by an excellent local cardioelectrophysiologist. This has been mostly successful. My last episode was four months ago. All episodes stopped by themselves within 24 hours, which seems a good sign. Some experts claim this means no risk of stroke; others insist on Eliquis despite this. Rate control, usually with a beta blocker like carvedilol is standard. Rhythm control is more controversial as some drugs, such as Sotalol, can cause worse arrhythmias. I am on carvedilol. Was on Eliquis.

Other posts will suggest changes in meds from ibrutinib. We decided to stay on it, but we may review that choice for reasons largely other than afib. Newer combos or even intermittent ibrutinib may be better.

Do remember that people live long normal lives even with permanent afib, though for some, like me, the sporadic episodes drives them crazy.

Good luck. David

[LovecuresCLL]

Coumadin is an anticoagulant Drs will prescribe for Afib but it doesn’t stop the arrhythmia ....it merely prevents blood clots from forming in your heart due to the irregular heart beats. You don’t want blood clots forming because it can form a embolus that can unfortunately hit your brain and cause you to have a stroke. So it’s important to know if your doc wants you on Coumadin or Eliquis etc. or some other ‘blood thinner’ medication to prevent clots from even forming .