Treating Afib

[IlovePSU]

I had asked some questions prior in regards to knowing I was having an arrythmia and they thought it was SVT. I have had a negative EP study that was done in December and at that time had an implantable loop recorder put in. Since it was put it on December 15th, I have had 10-12 episodes that I activated the device. The doc sat down with me last week and told me all these episodes were atrial fib and possibily atrial flutter. He prescribed Multaq twice a day for the next month to see if he can slow the afib down to where he can actually see where the afib is originating from. My heartrate was between 180-220bpm during the episodes I had and never last more than 1 minute. He said if I don't get any good readings in the next month that instead of doing an invasive EP study that he would try to trigger the afib with medication in the hospital.

What are your thoughts on how you would proceed in treating someone like me? I am 32 yrs old and have been dealing with this for over two years now but just finally am getting some answers since I was dismissed for so long because they assumed it was anxiety. Do you agree with my EP's plan? Just trying to get insight.
Thank you!!!

[CCF HeartMD-1]

Yes I think Multaq is a good option for you.

[IlovePSU]

He said it would be less invasive to use medicaitons to trigger it instead of going straight for an EP study. The last study didn't evoke anything but my monitor has picked up these episodes.
Do you agree with the Multaq?

[CCF HeartMD-1]

To be honest, we normally don't try and trigger an arrhythmia with medications in the hospital.  Now EP's, do sometimes try and trigger an arrhythmia in the EP lab but this is in the setting of an EP study so I am not exactly sure of what your doctor is talking about.  You are definitely young to have atrial fibrillation in the setting of a structurally normal heart (I remember your case from the past).  A.fib really comes with age, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, etc.  However, you may definitely have an atrial tachycardia such as atrial flutter, AVNRT or AVRT (which are all fast heart rhythms which come from the top chambers of the heart or the atria). I would probably recommend having another EP study rather than having him try to induce the arrythmia in the hospital with medications.  

Good Luck!