What is Atrial Fibrillation AFib
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begi...
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Wondering if I should get a second opinion
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I am wondering if I should see a second EP. Mine seems informative enough, but he is not willing to consider ablation unless I have tried all drug alternatives. My afib is paroxysmal, but episodes have become more frequent and prolonged recently. He has increased my atoprolol, I'm up to 100 mg per day now. I still have episodes, which tells me this drug is not really helping. I understand all that he has explained, it is rate limiting, will not stop the afib, etc., but it is as though I am not taking it. He says the rythym drugs have bad side effects, but he would try them next. Why can't I just go for an afib ablation? Should I talk to a clinic in boston or New york or cleveland? I am frustrated that I can't get a cure for this - I am fearful of damage to my heart in the long run. If this damages the heart muscle putting us at risk for CHF, then why wait to pursue a cure? Why not do the ablation when it would be most successful and when there is the least damage? Sorry to sound whiny - I am very upset because I am an otherwise healthy 58 and like to be very active. Thanks for your input.
Posted on 03/15/09, 09:03 pm |
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Even though your situation is unique to your body, I have to agree with your EP. He needs to be more aggressive with medications. How long have you been on the beta blocker?
Usually, if your a-fib happens frequently, like daily or weekly they start Warfarin. I'm taking Flecainide as well as a betablocker and it is working great, but if your have structural heart damage (such as valve or heart muscle damage) you are not a candidate for Flecainide. The reason why they use ablation as the last resort is because it carries dangerous health complications. Also, when they go in, they really need to find out first where the problem is. There are dozens, if not hundreds of spots in the atrium through which the impulse is going and they don't know exactly where to burn until they test it out. I am a nurse and I can tell you that I am not in a rush to get on on the table. I would suggest that you definitely seek a second opinion, because you may find more answers and more appropriate treatment. Some EPs are not reluctant to do an ablation. If your a-fib is not under control, something has to be done anyway. Your medication mey need to be changed. good luck! 
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I would go for a second opinion. I had my ablation done at Univ of Penn, one of the top hospitals to go to for ablations in January 08. However, I will tell you that I researched the ablation procedure for over 2 years and meet with several of the top doctors and almost all stated you need to fail 2 drugs before they will do an ablation. My a-fib broke through Cardizem, Rhythmol, Atenolol, Lopressor, and a mix of Sotalol and Cardizem.
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I just had my third ablation, I wish I had of read this before! I'm taking sotalol and isn't that a bad one? I mentioned in another post that I developed a large purple bruise on my leg since last night.
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