Aa
Afib Options
I have had two abaltions since 2004. Each created more problems than before. I have sought a second opinion. as a result, I have been on a event monitor for the last month and had my follow up appointment with an EP at Tufts New England Medical center yesterday (4/11/07). He has presented three options:
1. A medication change to Tikosyn which will include a hospital stay.
2. If Tikosyn fails to control my afib, he has suggested a switch to amiodarone.
3. If these fail, he would ablate the AV node and implant a pacemaker.
I have concerns about the use of amiodarone. Is it safe and how close would I have to be monitored? I live about 60 miles away from Tufts.
Since the AV node will be abalted, I'm assuming that I will be pacemaker dependent. What complications can arise from this procedure if the pacemaker does not function properly.
Thank you for your time.
Mike
1. A medication change to Tikosyn which will include a hospital stay.
2. If Tikosyn fails to control my afib, he has suggested a switch to amiodarone.
3. If these fail, he would ablate the AV node and implant a pacemaker.
I have concerns about the use of amiodarone. Is it safe and how close would I have to be monitored? I live about 60 miles away from Tufts.
Since the AV node will be abalted, I'm assuming that I will be pacemaker dependent. What complications can arise from this procedure if the pacemaker does not function properly.
Thank you for your time.
Mike
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi Mike,
You are in very good Hands. Mark Estes is one of the most respected physicians in our field.
Tikosyn is a safe medication when used correctly. It requires 72 hours of in hospital monitoring. If your QT interval on the EKG is within acceptable ranges after taking 5-6 doses, it is a safe medication. Most of problems with Tikosyn occur in the first 72 hours.
Amiodarone does have a lot of side effects, but it is used at much lower doses now than it used to be -- most of the data on complications are from when higher doses were used. It is still important to have eye exams, liver function tests, pulmonary function tests, and thyroid tests when you take amiodarone. Careful monitoring will help avoid complications.
If it requires a pacemaker and AV nodal ablation, you will be dependent on the pacemaker. This approach does help improve symptoms in carefully selected patients.
Dr. Estes is very well respected.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
You are in very good Hands. Mark Estes is one of the most respected physicians in our field.
Tikosyn is a safe medication when used correctly. It requires 72 hours of in hospital monitoring. If your QT interval on the EKG is within acceptable ranges after taking 5-6 doses, it is a safe medication. Most of problems with Tikosyn occur in the first 72 hours.
Amiodarone does have a lot of side effects, but it is used at much lower doses now than it used to be -- most of the data on complications are from when higher doses were used. It is still important to have eye exams, liver function tests, pulmonary function tests, and thyroid tests when you take amiodarone. Careful monitoring will help avoid complications.
If it requires a pacemaker and AV nodal ablation, you will be dependent on the pacemaker. This approach does help improve symptoms in carefully selected patients.
Dr. Estes is very well respected.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
I'm seeing Dr. Estes. Flecainide did not weork for me. Good luck.
Who was the EP you saw at NEMC? I saw Dr. Link who performed my 2nd of 3 ablations last Nov. I too have faced many new problems after my procedures. My cardio had mentioned amnioderone as an option to control afib but said because I was so young (38) he didn't think the problems that come with amnioderone were worth it so he perscribed Flecainide.
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