I'd advise calling the office back right away-------because you really need more information.
And the "not knowing what to do next" can be quite stressful.
D.

Even my PCP is amazed at the nonchalant attitude displayed by most cardiologists when it comes to dealing with afib. I have seen several cardiologists and EPs over the years, and have tried so hard to establish a communicative relationship. Just when you seem to find someone who will take the time to listen and answer your questions, you find that you are once again rushed through your exam and once again sent on your way frustrated. One more aspect of a frustrating condition. I agree that you should call someone and try to have your questions answered. Maybe they figure the coumadin will take care of the clot so you have nothing to worry about? But I sure understand your concern. Best wishes......

If you have a clot your body should gradually break it down and reabsorb it. The coumadin doesn't actually dissolve it...just hopefully keeps any new clots from developing. However, a clot in the heart seems like another matter. I don't know what the usual protocol for this is. I agree you should call and ask your Dr. It may be that the location of the clot isn't likely to be a problem, but you need a better explanation.

Drugs That Prevent or Treat Blood Clots (NOTICE THE WORD "TREAT")

Because thrombosis can be so dangerous, people who are at elevated risk for this condition often need treatment to prevent thrombosis from occurring or to attempt to dissolve blood clots that have already formed. There are three general categories of drugs these people might receive - the anticoagulant drugs, the fibrinolytic drugs and the anti-platelet drugs.

petey

http://heartdisease.about.com/od/lesscommonheartproblems/a/Drugs-Used-To-Prevent-Or-Treat-Blood-Clots.htm


Source of my last post.

Hi lapopessa, Any word from your Dr????????

Exactly what happened with me. I am finally able to be scheduled for the cardioversion after my course of Coumadin because of a small clot in my heart. It's been kind of difficult because of the restrictions on diet, but it will be worth it. I have no idea how long I have been in Afib, though. A long time, though. They told me the body will dissolve the clot, and the Coumadin is to prevent new ones from forming before the cardioversion. Apparently, this is a very common procedure.

Sorry to hear that. I had that happen once, it is very disappointing. You get ready mentally and wha wha whhaaa. I was visible distort. My Dr. was shocked at my choice vocabulary. It was not directed toward him or the hospital but this scourge of a condition. It can be stressful but you will get through it and hopefully have a successful cardioversion. Remember the delay was for the best, you wouldn't want that clot to break loose. Good Luck!

This all happened late Friday afternoon - so no, nothing from doctors I'm guessing until Monday.

So sorry to hear this. Getting mentally prepared for a precedure is bad enough but to get that close and have to reschedule is brutal.

When I suffered a TIA, my EP was almost certain that the clots were fragments from a larger clot positioned in my Left Atrial Appendage. No TEE was done but the event was text book for an LAA clot. In the emergency room I asked the attending physician about clot dissolving drugs. He said I was far from a candidate and that the drugs themselves are very dangerous and only administered as a last resort. I was started on Pradaxa the next morning and went to see my EP shortly after that to schedule an ablation. Since I had a thrombosis event he would not perform an ablation for six months to give time for any remaining clot in my heart to be absorbed naturally. When a clot is present anywhere great caution is used which in non-critical situations usually means letting it be. Trying to go in and remove them physically or with drugs in cases like yours or mine only elevates the danger of stroke.

"...to get that close and have to reschedule is brutal".

I meant to get that close and have to cancel is brutal.

Steve

I understood what you meant, thanks :).

Lopopessa- So sorry to hear your cardioversion was cancelled due to a clot. That had to be diappointing and a little scary. My thoughts are with you and please keep us posted on how things are going.
Carrie