Post Ablation AFib

[noniofnj]

Dear Dr.,
I had ablation done for ventricular tachycardia 2 months ago. Since then I have been getting arrhythmia which confirmed to be Afib (by holter monitor). I never had Afib before. Is it possible to get Afib due to ablation even if ablation was done for ventricular tachycardia?. Will it go away eventually because it has made my life quite difficult. Thanks in advance.

[noniofnj]

Dear Dr. Many thanks for the quick reply with your precious time. I am on sotalol 160 mg bid which is helping me a lot. Its only after 8 hrs of taking it that I get afib (or other arrythmia ?). I am also on Coumadin to keep my INR/PT between 2-3. I agree with you that it makes sense that ablation for Vtech will not initiate afib. But the problem is all the ablations were done in my ventricle septum. As engineer when I look at the structure of heart, I feel is it possible that there may be a reverse signal from septum to create this misery (afib) in atria for me. I have appointment with my local cardiologist soon and I will ask him for holter monitor etc. Again I really appreciate your reply. Best regards.

[CCF HeartMD-1]

Possibly, but I really do think it would be rare that the a.fib is related to the Vtach ablation and I think after 4 months if it was related to the ablation it should now be gone.  You should talk to you Cardiologist and possibly wear a Holter monitor again to see how much a.fib you are truly having.  If it is making you feel poorly then you could try medications for it.  You probably should be on Coumadin for anticoagulation also if you are truly having a.fib unless you have contraindications to blood thinners.  

[noniofnj]

Dear Dr.
Thanks for your reply. I am on fourth month post ablation. A lot of strange beats has been subsided. However I am still getting very short (less than 2 minutes) bursts of Afib. Its always triggered by bending, sitting in car, stomach distention, or sleeping on right side. I can stop it by standing and taking a deep breath (expanding stomach). It has gone from 2-10 minutes in duration to less than 2 minutes now (although the frequency is still the same 10-15 times a day). Before my Vtech ablation I never had Afib (confirmed from numerous ekg's, exercise tests and holter/event monitors). Do you think I might get out of it with time (and healing).
Best regards,

[CCF HeartMD-1]

I believe that your a.fib and your v.tach are two separate processes.  It is really unheard of to get a.fib related to a recent v.tach ablation.  In addition, ventricular tachycardia is a rhythm that starts in the ventricles of the heart (bottom chambers) whereas a.fib starts in the atria of the heart (top chambers).  However, many people who get v.tach also have a.fib so it is not uncommon.  A.fib can definitely make people feel badly.  There are multiple ways to get you out of a.fib which I would recommend if it is causing you to feel bad.  There are medications and also sometimes we cardiovert (shock) people out of the rhythm.  We would of course put you to sleep to do this.  

Hope this helps.  Good Luck!!!