Thank you in advance for your help. First I'll give a quick history: I'm a 37,male, 6', 220lbs., caucasian
1. Open heart at age 4 for ASD
2. Two Catheter Ablations for A-tach. Both were unsuccessful and left me with a pacemaker because I went in to complete heart block.
3. Open heart surgery at age 35 for Sinus Venosus Defect.
4. Maze Procedure performed during last open heart surgery. Successful; no A-tachs since.
4. Left Atrium measures 5cm
5. Moderate mitral valve regurgitation
6. Dilated Coronary Sinus
7. Current medications: 325mg of Aspirin daily, 5mg Lusinopril
8. Avg. BP 130/82
So here's the big question; at my last pace check, 2 episodes of A-fib were found. One lasted only 4 heart beats and the other lasted 30 seconds. One was in Jan.08 and the other in May of 08. My Ep Dr. has recommended I start Coumadin due to the A-fibs. I wore a monitor for 21 days and nothing registered. Although, I'm usually a very good patient, Coumadin seems like an overkill for only 2 very small episodes. What do you think? How long does Afib have to last in order to cause a stroke?
Would it be unwise for me to take a wait and see approach? I thought maybe I can get a pace check every 3 months and see if the Afibs become more regular?
I'm very active with two young children. Although I do not want to suffer from a stroke, I wonder if Coumadin is the best option for me. I should also mention that I am asymptomatic. I never even felt my A-tachs either.
Thank you again and I look forward to your response.