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Flutter

When I ws 6 years old, I was diagnosed with atrial septal defect which was repaired.   I really haven't had any problems since the surgery.....until now.

I am a 38 year old female in good shape.  I had an episode of tachycardia and shortness of breath recently.  I was hospitalized and diagnosed with atrial flutter.  None of the medications worked to try to get my heart back in rhythm so I had a cardioversion. My ejection fraction was 40.

I went in to see my cardiologist for a follow up and I am now wearing an event monitor for 30 days.  He has no idea why this happened, but says that at some point it will happen again and that I will need an ablation.  

I guess my question is, should I get a second opinion?  I kind of feel like my dr is saying "let's just wait and see what happens".  I am a mother of 3 and can't be worried and wondering if something is going to happen to me.

3 Responses
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251395 tn?1434494286
Hello...

I can completely relate to your feelings, as a mom of two, not wanting to play the "let's wait and see what happens" game...I don't mind playing games, but definitely not ones that involve my health.

According to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/European Society of Cardiology guidelines, Radiofrequency catheter ablation is first-line therapy for atrial flutter. The most common forms of atrial flutter can be cured with a 90% success rate at very low risk.

A recent randomized trial of catheter ablation as first line therapy versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial flutter (mean follow-up 21 months) reported that 80% of the ablation group was in sinus rhythm off antiarrhythmic drugs versus 36% of those assigned to antiarrhythmics.

Before you seek a 2nd opinion, I would talk to your Dr about how you feel. If you tell him that you would prefer to be cured by an ablation procedure over treatment with antiarrhythmics, and he is not willing to concede....than at this point I would be seeking a 2nd opinion.

I wish you the very best of luck ,as you pursue the best treatment option for this. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, I was converted back to sinus and my ejection was 40%(normal is 55-60%) which showed up on the echo that I had before I was converted.  My dr said that if the decrease in heart function was caused by the flutter that it would take 2-3 mos to improve, however, he says he's unsur if the decrease in heart function was caused by te flutter or the flutter was caused by the decr. hrt function.

The heart monitor I'm wearing goes off everyday more than once, but so far it's only piced up some pvc's and an occas. heart rate of 50bpm.  I am still EXTREMELY tired all the time even after 7-8 hrs of sleep at night and I'm still having the shortness of breath.  This is all very unusual for me.  I am a very active and athletc person, but I can't do anything without becoming very fatigued!!

~Charity
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
I don't follow you completely. Are you saying you were converted back to sinus?  Where did your ejection number of 40 come from.  I don't remember the range, but 40% sounds on the low side.  Did you have an echocardiogram? Was every thing else normal?

It doesn't sound to me like your problem just needs further diagnosis to determine what it is and how to best treat it.  As for ablation, sound a premature conclusion at this point.  
Helpful - 0
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