Flecainide-Sudden Cardiac Death connection?

[LindaTX]

My new cardiologist looked at my ECG and said it showed I could have a blockage, probably in my LAD.  I am currently taking a 400mg a day dose of flecainide to keep me out of a-fib....the ONLY med that has worked since I had an ablation in Sept.  She wants to do a stress echo with Dobutamine next week.  She seems very concerned that I could go into Sudden Cardiac Death because of the QT or PR elongation? not sure which she said, and the extremely high dose of flecainide.  My concern is #1 that I will be thrown into a-fib from the Dobutamine and #2 can they do a stent on the LAD?  This had all taken me completely by surprise as I thought my tightness of chest and slight breathlessness was after-effects of my heart healing from the ablation.

Don't know if I should go ahead with the stress echo?... or wait and see what happens in a couple of weeks when I am completely weaned off the flecainide.  I am stressed and still in shock over this news this afternoon.  Help!

[LindaTX]

Thanks bbxx, I see the connection.  I went for my stress echo test at the Dr's office...but ended up not getting it.  First there was some technical issue with the machine....then the nurse could not get a vein for the IV. After a few attempts, I decided to call it.  Bizarre!  Since I was already hooked up to the ECG, I asked if I could get a copy of one.  I did and although I do not know much about ECG interpretation, I could see some differences from the last one where I was on so much flecainide.  I will get the test at some point but it will be in a hospital setting where they can at least start an IV.

[bbxx]

So you can see from the info--it appears that it can cause a host of issues including prolonged qt.

[bbxx]

Hmm. I am sending you a message with info. in ur inbox

[LindaTX]

As far as I know it is new but I did see it on one ECG in Mar. 08, I may have been on flecainide or rhythmol at the time.  Would that make a difference?  On one of my ECG's in 08 it said RSR, don't know what that means and also I've seen "incomplete right bundle block" on a few of my ECG's.  

[bbxx]

Linda --praying for you

[bbxx]

Linda, is the prolonged QT new?

[LindaTX]

I do have prolonged QT and Diastolic Dysfunction.  I did cancel the stress echo but called and got the appt back for tomorrow at her office.  I have weaned down to 200 mg a day on the flecainide.  I'm scared of it bringing on a-fib...which I have not had in 2 months...but I guess the Dr knows what she's doing.  If I don't show back up on MH by Wed. we'll all know why.....

[kevk]

I do not have any blockages but do have cardiomyopathy with a prolonged QT and moderate diastolic dysfunction. I take 300 mgs of flecainide with beta-blockers for v-tach and v-fib. I have had to take this test several times. I have never been shocked by my icd during or after the test. My doctors prefer that I continue my meds for the test.
Everyone is a little different and I believe that flecainide can cause prolongation of QT.

[LindaTX]

Hey, thanks I appreciate it....I don't know where everyone is on this forum.

[Jade59]

Bumping up for you, hon

[LindaTX]

I thought my Dr said the LAD was too large to stent but maybe I misunderstood that.  She did say the artery had to be 65-70% occluded before they would stent and anything else would show up as fine on the stress echo. I don't know if my questions are inappropriate or just overlooked but I really would appreciate some comments here.  I could really use some help. Anyone?  Anyone?