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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Drugs such as diltiazem seem to bring on my Atrial fib. Is this possible?
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Drugs such as diltiazem seem to bring on my Atrial fib. Is this possible?
by Bear 1, Jan 20, 2002 12:00AM
I was diagnosed with A Fib about 4 months ago. I think I may have had symtoms for about a year but was unaware of what it was.
My Doctors have tried me on Sotalol and it did not work and now I am on Diltiazem Hydrochloride and it seems to increase the occurance and length of my attacks. Is this possible? I am scheduled to go for electrical mapping in April to see if ablation is the answer. My real problem is that I hold a pilot's license and I do NOT want to lose it! I must use drugs that the DOT will approve.
Bear 1
My Doctors have tried me on Sotalol and it did not work and now I am on Diltiazem Hydrochloride and it seems to increase the occurance and length of my attacks. Is this possible? I am scheduled to go for electrical mapping in April to see if ablation is the answer. My real problem is that I hold a pilot's license and I do NOT want to lose it! I must use drugs that the DOT will approve.
Bear 1
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Jan 22, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Bear,
We have had several pilots who have had successful atrial fibrillation ablation and then been cleared by the FAA to fly so take hope! I don't know what the exact restrictions the FAA has for drugs that pilots can and cannot take. Do you have a list? Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker drug and does not usually convert afib to sinus rhythm. It is used more to control the rate response of the ventricle. It should not increase the frequency of occurance or length of attacks.
We have had several pilots who have had successful atrial fibrillation ablation and then been cleared by the FAA to fly so take hope! I don't know what the exact restrictions the FAA has for drugs that pilots can and cannot take. Do you have a list? Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker drug and does not usually convert afib to sinus rhythm. It is used more to control the rate response of the ventricle. It should not increase the frequency of occurance or length of attacks.
I am 30 and had atrial fib for about 17 hours straight. I think it was preceeded by days of pacs that would last all day and all night with no stop. They put me in Icu and put me on diltiazem I havent been in atrial fib since and that was over a year ago. So I dont know if that is whats causing your a fib?