Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

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 begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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marikay234 02/17/2011

Saw my cardiologist and we had a nice discussion about where to go from here. I have paroxsymal A Fib and the episodes have been getting more frequent (every 1-2 weeks) I am OK with how to handle an episode once it starts. He mentioned antiarrythmics, and ablation. Everything is a matter of weighing the risks vs the benefits. I asked him what he would do if he was in my situation. I think he was very honest with me. He said because I am mostly in NSR (we did the math, about 97% of time I am in NSR) he would go for good rate control for the times I am in A Fib. Medications like beta blockers, digoxin, etc have less scary side effects, much safer in the long run. Same with ablation, it is a surgical procedure that can go seriously wrong, and some people do not get great improvement. He would only use an antiarrythmic or ablation as a last resort if it was him. Keep in mind that is in my current situation. What we decided is to refer me to an EP to see what suggestions he would have. I need to have that input at this point. Right now I am very conflicted between wanting to make this "go away" and at the same time not doing anything risky. So....I await the EP, it will be interesting to see what he thinks.

jsmo98 02/17/2011

I hate to tell you this but your afib is going to get worse, last longer and have more episodes, even if you take the meds. The ablation has about an 80% success rate and about a 1% chance of complications. Get a new doctor that has experience with it.

RuthCR 02/17/2011

I agree with last comment. Episodes every 1-2 weeks is going to alter what you do and your lifestyle. I would not consider this to be rare episodes but indeed regular. I would rather be on mild medication to reduce the liklihood of episodes and also see an electrophysiologist. It is worth taking your ECG's along, they often can work out the success rate from them. I have A-Fib, but only the electrophysiologist identified Atrial Flutter in one of my more memorable episodes and I had an ablation for that.

I hope you can find some better answers than what you have been given. Ruth

deleted_user 02/18/2011

Listen to this doctor. He's absolutely right. I have permanent Afib and I use meds to control it. The EPs seem to LOVE doing ablations but my cariologist told me I was not a good candidate for it and I went to a consultant who said the same thing. Being on the meds is something I'm used to now and I don't even FEEL the flutters anymore.

marikay234 02/19/2011

Thanks for the replys....
I think it is interesting that his choice would be rate control, I expected him to say ablation. Remember that he is talking about my situation at this point in time specifically and that would be his choice. I know this Dr personally as well as professionally and respect his opinion. As a nurse, I have seen bad outcomes from both antiarrythmics and ablation, and I know he has too. I am going to try to have an open mind to all recommendations the EP makes and go from there.

jodelleknits 02/19/2011

This is such an individual thing. I agree with the comment that it will get worse. I started out with occasional short episodes and it progressed to the point that I was in afib about 90% of the time. I also think one needs to think into the future. Taking drugs for the rest of your life vs. an ablation. I am so glad I opted for the ablation and am afib free. I know it is not for everyone, but it worked for me. I have said before in these discussions ---- "Be choosy about the doctor you have perform the procedure and ask questions."

marikay234 02/19/2011

Thanks Jodelle,
I agree it probably will get worse. In 3 years it has been getting more frequent. I also am certain that I will choose ablation over antiarrythmics. Those drugs really concern me. I am fortunate that I have a network to research EP's and am happy with the one I will be seeing. I'm so happy to know that you are now a fib free. There is hope for the rest of us.
Wishing everyone a NSR day!

deleted_user 02/24/2011

Of corse these things are individual and a matter of weighing risk and rewards. In my case just before I had cryo ablation I was getting myltiple attacks per day and some would last for several hours. Having had cryo ablation I and now being completely AF free I am a convert.

Ken

IvoryBlue 02/25/2011

I use Rythmol twice a day and haven't had an afib episode for 16 months. Everything has a side effect, finding what you're comfortable with and what works best for you, is the most important thing. You can ask 10 people what they would do and get 10 different answers..it's an individual thing, something to be discussed with your doctor, with whom you seem to have a lot of trust. My cardio doctor sent me to a top doc EP who agreed on the meds for now.
Good luck!

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