Re: arrhythmia

Posted By CCF Cardio MD-SGM on March 31, 1998 at 11:28:26:

In Reply to: arrhythmia posted by Linda Edwards on March 22, 1998 at 00:05:00:







: I just got out of the hospital.  Reasons for hospitalizational: 39 white female with chronic atrial flutter/fib. Tee revealed medium size clot in RA.  CARDIOVERSIONS - 30,50, 100, 120 joules failed, sucessful with 360 joules to NSR.  Tee revealed no displacement of clot p(the p has a dash over it) cardioversions.  Pacemaker reprogramed to antitaclry cardia mode.  Sotalol intiated on 3-16-98.  My question is "What does this mean?"  I don't understand.  Is my life coming to an end and if it is what do I do next?  I have a 12 year old son and a husband that depend on me day to day!  Please help me because I need some support!  Thanks ahead of time.  Linda     ***@****



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Dear Linda,
From your medical report, it sounds like you underwent electrical cardioversion in order to restore normal sinus rhythm to the heart.  Atrial fibrillation, the abnormal rhythm that you had, can be due to a variety of causes including valvular disease, thyroid hormone excess, high blood pressure, increasing age, etc.   This issue of Atrial fibrillation can be further explained in the many questions on this topic that can be found in this forum.  
You were started on Sotalol, which is an antiarrhythmic medication used to lessen the recurrence of atrial fibrillation.  You need to have intermittent electrocardiograms during the initiation of Sotalol therapy.  Also, you might experience slowing of the heart rate.  However, the medicine is well tolerated in most people and should help you remain in sinus rhythm.    Given the blood clot found on TEE and the chronic nature of the atrial fibrillation, you should be taking anticoagulant medication such as coumadin, to lessen the risk of stroke.  You should discuss this with your physician..
Although atrial fibrillation is not a benign condition, with proper care there is no reason why you shouldn't have a long and healthy life.  Don't be terrified of this problem, as excellent therapies including Sotalol and the blood thinners are readily available.
If you wish, contact 1-800 CCF CARE to make an appointment with an electrophysiologist (rhythm specialist) at desk F15 of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.  I hope this information has been helpful.  Only your personal physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.