Atrial Fibrillation

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Well, I don't personally know anyone who have had it done but I do see the procedure being done all the time. You see, I am the guy who maintains the equipment that the cardiologist use. I think the doctor wanting to do the shock to find out where the trouble spot is/are on the heart. Once he is sure of the problem spot, he will ablates the tissue that caused the AF. I don't think it hurt because the patient is awake the whole time.

gonefishie, not according to him.
He is wanting to put her to sleep, shock it to get it back to normal rhythm or maybe not.
He seems to think he already knows where the problem is that is why he keeps going up on the meds.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

N/P MBS, I already knew what it was called even before JB's post, thanks.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

OK, so he wanted to do an electrical cardioversion. The heart will only stop for a split second after the shock is delivered then it will restart. You might only need one shock or you might needs several shocks to have regular sinus rythm again. Electrical cardioversion (non-invasive and short procedure) is normally recommended to patient who doesn't respond well to meds or doesn't tollerates the meds well and several other factors.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

I think some are confused about what an electrical cardioversion does for A-fib. The cardioversion isn't used to stop the A-fib, it's only used to slow down an A-fib that is too fast for the patient to tolerate. Generally, electricity is reserved for patients with severe, acute symptoms related to a very fast heart rate. If the patient is tolerating the condition relatively well, a pharmacologic intervention is almost always a first choice. Frankly, cardiverting A-fib is old school and doesn't happen that frequently anymore due to advances in medications for the condition. Getting a 2nd opinion is absolutely the right thing to do.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Well, I don't personally know anyone who have had it done but I do see the procedure being done all the time. You see, I am the guy who maintains the equipment that the cardiologist use. I think the doctor wanting to do the shock to find out where the trouble spot is/are on the heart. Once he is sure of the problem spot, he will ablates the tissue that caused the AF. I don't think it hurt because the patient is awake the whole time.

I had a catheter ablation done about 6 years ago.
They went in through my groin area and lasered a small part of my heart.
Atrial fib is like an open circuit, In my case I had an extra node firing off. So two electrical triggers were present in my heart.
So far so good.
I used to get like 190-200 bpm. Never did have the paddles on me... they were scary.

 

[jal]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

I have been zapped three times. While it is not fun, there is no pain. One is in and out in a few hours. My doctor does do a lot of them throughout the U.S..
I am also on BetaPace, a pill which is supposed to keep the beats steady(most of the time). My problem is I cannot feel by heart beating. I know I am in trouble when I run out of breath. The shock treatment is fairly safe. You are sedated and when you come out of it you are not really groggy, just a bit tired, but you get something to eat and go home an hour later.
Good luck

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Well, she will be going in Friday morning to have the shock treatment.
Thoughts and prayers appreciated and will let you know the outcome.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

SBN,
Our prayers are with your mom and your family.

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

I have a normal heart rate it just skipps every 3rd or 4th beat. I've been zapped 7 times by 2 different Drs, The first one didn't put me under for it. NOT MUCH FUN. It lasted 1 hr and I was back out of rythem. Got me a new Dr, Electro Physiologest, she puts me out. I just go to sleep and when I wake up it's all over. Every time I have it done it lasts longer. 8 months so far. I have an extra SN node and I am scheduled for the cardiac ablasion as soon as my hospital installs their new cardiac room later on this year. I highly recomend a cardioversion. I feel so much better when my hearts beating properly. The only problem is that I get a burn similar to a sun burn around the outside of the area of the electrode. I dosen't hurt but the next day and for a week later it sure doese itch. Door ways are my friend and anything else I can rub against.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

My heart beats really funny sometimes. It will start to hurt if I let it keep doing it. I've found if I set down, but don't lie down, force myself to relax and breath deeply and rhythmically I can get it to calm down and it will go back to working normal. I can't get anybody to believe there is anything wrong with it so I have to treat it myself like this.

The para-thyroid glands are very inportant to heart beat timing. Have this checked if it hasnt been already.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

I hope everything works out for you SBN

As for me. Nothing,, has been checked out and I can't afford to have it done anyway. Most of the time it's fine.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Well, off to the hospital.
She has to be there at 7:30 and they will do the thing at 9.
Will let you know the outcome.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Well, she came thru great and the heart is back to normal right now.
The Doc said that it was not what was originally thought but a cousin to it whatever that means.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Glad to hear it all went well SBN,

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Glad it went well. I hope this is the last time either of you need a hospital visit for a long time.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Just read the updates on this post and with all the others I'm pleased that everything worked out OK.

We all complain about the high cost of medical care but they can sure do wonders now-a-days

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

Glad the procedure turned out well.

If the A-Fib returns, and is symptomatic, she may benefit from an EPS with a possible ablation. Electrophysiology Study is the mapping of the hearts electrical activity. The heart has a main natural pacer. When another area of the heart takes over the main pacer, the heart may go into dysrhythmias (ex. A-Fib). When the area of the heart causing the dysrhythmia is found, it is ablated. Ablation is when the culprit area is killed. After the area is ablated, the heart will normally go back into a normal rhythm unless there are other areas causing the A-Fib.

Just like all things in Medicine, it may not work and there are risks involved. But like was stated before, docs like to try to treat using "medicine" first. For FYI, Atrial fibrillation (chambers at the top of the heart) is when the atriums of the heart quiver, essentially not propelling blood forward and pooling causing clots. A-Fib, if left untreated without at least anti clot medicine, may cause a stroke!

The reason one feels more tired or fatigued when in A-Fib is because the Atriums add an extra 20-30% more circulation (in simple terms).

So for those of having "funny feelings" that may or may not go away, get seen!

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Atrial Fibrillation

I have a-fib, I choose to get a second opinion contrary to my local cardiologist. My pcp was supportive, and sent me to the NYU Arrhythmia center at NYU. they have a section that is larger than my local hospital, A fib is a symptom of a aging heart. common to 55 to 60 years olds, as long as it is not tachycardia, and you are on blood thinners many doctors feel you will live a nice long life, if you accept 15 years then having congestive heart failure a good life. instead i learned about a procedure, NEW called Pulmonary Vain Ablation. only a few doctors do this as it is new, but to be brief it like a having a angiogram/plasty. and it cures a fib. had it done, was good for a year, and got pissed off and did a little damage, so it was done again feb 1st. , I'm in healing stage. I was in a panic, as 40 years of doing CPR. carrying a defibrillator in my car. I panicked and lost 60lbs, deep depression, all unnecessary, the cure was simple and effective.
Check out the web site A-FIB.COM AND READ ABOUT IT AND THE CURE AT THE END. I ALL ARE WELCOME TO EMAIL FOR MORE INFO.
http://www.a-fib.com/
Atrial Fibrillation - Resources for Patients
http://www.med.nyu.edu/heartrhythm/patients/options.html
Treatment Options