Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Atrial fibrillation
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Atrial fibrillation
by Gunter, Sep 30, 1999 12:00AM
Although drug therapy may eventually work for my chronic atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation has been suggested as a possible cure. This brings to mind the following questions:
1.)Are there any non-invasive tests, such as special EKG's, that might be useful to determine if catheter ablation might be successful.
2.)When drug therapy fails I have to be on Coumadine. If I should have to come off Coumadine for the dentist or surgery, is Plavix a viable substitute for a limited period of time, and why is Heparin quoted a a substitute in the Coumadine literature - is it related to the Heparin half-life compared to that of Coumadin?
3.) Is there a known correlation between the occurence of atrial fibrillation and early childhood scarlet fever?
Thanks for your time!
1.)Are there any non-invasive tests, such as special EKG's, that might be useful to determine if catheter ablation might be successful.
2.)When drug therapy fails I have to be on Coumadine. If I should have to come off Coumadine for the dentist or surgery, is Plavix a viable substitute for a limited period of time, and why is Heparin quoted a a substitute in the Coumadine literature - is it related to the Heparin half-life compared to that of Coumadin?
3.) Is there a known correlation between the occurence of atrial fibrillation and early childhood scarlet fever?
Thanks for your time!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Oct 01, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Gunter ,
In response to your questions:
Are there any non-invasive tests, such as special EKG's, that might be useful to determine if catheter ablation might be successful.
the ECG may be helpful, but an electrophysiology study is required to truly characterize the afib circuit.
2.)When drug therapy fails I have to be on Coumadine. If I should have to come off Coumadine for the dentist or surgery, is Plavix a viable substitute for a limited period of time, and why is Heparin quoted a a substitute in the Coumadine literature - is it related to the Heparin half-life compared to that of Coumadin?
Heparin is a better choice around procedures because it is short acting and does not increase bleeding risk around surgery.
3.) Is there a known correlation between the occurence of atrial fibrillation and early childhood scarlet fever?
Valvular changes caused by rheumatic/scarlet fever may be a prime cause for the developement of AFib
In response to your questions:
Are there any non-invasive tests, such as special EKG's, that might be useful to determine if catheter ablation might be successful.
the ECG may be helpful, but an electrophysiology study is required to truly characterize the afib circuit.
2.)When drug therapy fails I have to be on Coumadine. If I should have to come off Coumadine for the dentist or surgery, is Plavix a viable substitute for a limited period of time, and why is Heparin quoted a a substitute in the Coumadine literature - is it related to the Heparin half-life compared to that of Coumadin?
Heparin is a better choice around procedures because it is short acting and does not increase bleeding risk around surgery.
3.) Is there a known correlation between the occurence of atrial fibrillation and early childhood scarlet fever?
Valvular changes caused by rheumatic/scarlet fever may be a prime cause for the developement of AFib
