Lone A-Fib

I am a 37 year old very active male and I have been diagnosed with Lone A-Fib.  I have been in A-Fib for approximately 45 days.  I am currently on Metropol and Warfarin.  My rythem is all over the place and when working out will go over 200.  Most of the time I am fine but at time it feels like heaviness in my chest.  I am scheduled to go in for Cardioversion on Tuesday. My doctor is an EP and he is going to put me on sotalol as well.  Is this a permanent fix? If not how long can I expect this cardioversion to work? Is this this correct first step and would the next step be an ablation.  The condition is becoming more anoying and I can tell it is beginning to affect my daily activities.  I am certainly more scared and nervous and always have this on my mind.  

[mml78]

I was just reading about cardioversion and apparently if you have electrical cardioversion done, there is a high probability that the a-fib will return if the a-fib has been present for more than a few months.  It doesn't give percentages, though.  It's not a cure for a-fib, so you'll probably be on meds after the cardioversion.  If you find the right fit, you could substantially alleviate your symptoms.  Have you had the a-fib for only 45 days, or is this your most recent episode?  I think ablation would be in order if you could not get it under control with meds and if you fit the other criteria (I think each facility has their own criteria).  

I'm so sorry to hear about this.  A-fib is horrible, but you will get through it.  I've had it for twelve years now, and I am finally getting an ablation done at the end of the month.  Let me know how the cardioversion goes.  Take care of yourself and good luck!

Oh, by the way, the article I was reading is called "Options for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation," University of Michigan Electrphysiology Service by Fred Morady, Hakan Oral, Frank Pelosi, Aman Chugh, Frank Bogun, Eric Good and Krit Jongnarangsin.  June 2005.  

[acjviolin]

You're a tough one!  Funny- I cannot tolerate 5 minutes of being in A-fib, no lie.  I, too, have Lone A-fib with SVT (heart rate 245) and the longest that I have ever been in it is 3 hours or so.  I was chemically converted with Cardizem.  EP dr. then started me on 80 mg. of Sotalol, twice daily.  That was a little over a year ago, and I have had only a few fleeting moments of A-fib.  However, the PVC's are still around.  Was there a precipitating event that you can point to that started you into A-fib?  Bless your heart!  I'm sorry for your suffering, but you sound as if you are unusually brave.  The Sotalol has been great for me and I wish you well- let us know how you are fairing.

Amy

[CFarmer]

This is my first known incident of A-Fib other than an short episode 10 years ago when I was placed under anesthia for a pocedure.  My heart went into A-Fib and I remained in the hospital overnight and it corrected itself.  I was hopeful that this episode would convert back but as I understand it the longer it goes the less likely it is to convert back on its own.  I have been told that I am perfectly healthy otherwise and I have been amazed at how this has begun to affect my daily activities.  I am curious and hopeful that the electro cardiversion and medication will fix this long term but It sounds like it is a guessing game.

Thanks for your feedback.

[CFarmer]

The only item that I can pinpoint that may have brought this on is stress.  I am a pretty easy going person in general but did have an event that created lots of stress around the time of the A-Fib episode.  My heart rate is frustrating because even on metropol it is all over the place and is becoming more noticeable.  Have you had any side effects or issues with sotalol?  How long have you been on this med?

[CFarmer]

The only item that I can pinpoint that may have brought this on is stress.  I am a pretty easy going person in general but did have an event that created lots of stress around the time of the A-Fib episode.  My heart rate is frustrating because even on metropol it is all over the place and is becoming more noticeable.  Have you had any side effects or issues with sotalol?  How long have you been on this med?

[mml78]

That's so weird that you've only had a couple of episodes in ten years, but a-fib is sort of a mystery in itself if you are otherwise healthy.  I think sotalol is supposed to be very effective, so I hope that helps you.  Good luck!