Dear Sirs
I had a first catheter ablation for AF 9 days ago. I am 28 years old (male) and otherwise have a normal and healthy heart. After the ablation, I was in sinus rhythm although I felt a few extra beats.
5 days after the ablation, my heart rate started accelerating and became slightly irregular. I had an EKG and the physiologist explained that the reading resembled atrial flutter, but not atrial fibrillation. My cardiologist therefore advised that I resume beta blockers (which I had stopped after the procedure) and start up with Flecainide 100mg twice daily.
I have now been on flecainide for the last four days, and the arrhythmia is continuing. Are these symptoms normal after an ablation? Put differently, do these symptoms suggest that the ablation was not entirely successful and that I may require a repeat procedure? Or is it still too early to tell?
Also, is it normal that the flecainide is not working? I'm not sure what to expect as I had never before taken this drug.
Another strange symptom is that I had a 10 minute episode of visual disturbances 2 days ago, with golden/flashing rings appearing in the periphery of my vision. They became stronger and then suddenly disappeared.
Has anyone experienced similar symptoms? Is is still possible that my first ablation was successful?
Kind regards