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PFA procedure with stroke risks
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Jun 27 10:32am | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
To my knowledge, the potential for a stroke associated with Afib is due to blood clots forming in the left atrial because it does not empty correctly since it is beating out of rhythm with the ventricle. The blood clot could then flow into places in your body causing a stroke because of blockage. PFA or other ablation procedures put your heart back into sinus rhythm which then removes the potential for formation of blood clots. The continuation of Eliquis or other blood thinner is a precautionary measure in the event you go back into Afib. When my cardiologist told me this I asked: shouldn't ever person over the age of 70 be taking a blood thinner since at this age they are at a higher risk for Afib? He didn't answer.
Replies to "To my knowledge, the potential for a stroke associated with Afib is due to blood clots..."
Your description is correct, and it happened to me. A stroke within six months of being diagnosed with AFIB, so I'll be on blood thinners forever. I'm 70. But if I didn't have AFIB or any other heart condition I would not take a blood thinner. They have side effects, and I try to take as few drugs as possible, which was NONE until I got AFIB.
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I had asked my cardiologist the same thing. While he gave me an answer, it was so vague it might not have even qualified as an answer.
My own opinion is that any medication used to lessen clotting is another big issue as far as bleeds. I never see much published about reversal of Eliqus and similar agents. Supposedly reversal agents aren't that stocked everywhere. So for the person suffering a major bleeding event whether internal or external they seem to be in big trouble. We all mention not wanting a stroke, true but bleeding out doesn't sound like such a great alternative either. Put everyone over 70 on Eliqus and it's going to get even busier at the ER or the morgue.