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Afib with flutters

Posted by abob @abob, Jun 13, 2025

Does anyone have AF and flutters?
If so, have you had successful ablation(s) and/or CV despite flutters?
If not, how are you being managed?
Thank you

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suerte | @suerte | Jun 15, 2025
In reply to @gloaming "Are you still taking a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker per prescription? Some EPs..." + (show)
Profile picture for gloaming @gloaming

Are you still taking a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker per prescription? Some EPs want their patients to remain on a lowered dose of metoprolol, diltiazem, bisoprolol, or Sotalol for several weeks after an ablation, but the patient must self-monitor and report immediately any changes to their condition or symptoms. When a patient is in NSR (normal sinus rhythm) for many days after a so-far successful ablation, the heart may calm and find that it is suppressed by the chemical, meaning an artificially low heart rate. If that is the case, the EP may want you off of anything except the DOAC (apixaban or rivaroxaban) for stroke risk. Certainly by the time you get near your Holter monitor assessment, usually between Weeks 10-12, you would not want to have any residue in your system that controls heart rhythm or its rate. You and the EP would want a veridical assessment and record for several hours running of what your heart wants to do on its own in its current state.

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I am still on 25mg Metoprolol. My local cardiologist (actually the PA) did not have any real comments regarding the low heart beat other than to say that below 50 is when they are concerned. My EP is located in Denver where I had the PFA done so all contact is electronic. I am in the process of getting their feedback. I really want to get off of all the meds.

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gloaming | @gloaming | Jun 15, 2025
In reply to @suerte "I am still on 25mg Metoprolol. My local cardiologist (actually the PA) did not have any..." + (show)
Profile picture for suerte @suerte

I am still on 25mg Metoprolol. My local cardiologist (actually the PA) did not have any real comments regarding the low heart beat other than to say that below 50 is when they are concerned. My EP is located in Denver where I had the PFA done so all contact is electronic. I am in the process of getting their feedback. I really want to get off of all the meds.

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I would do exactly as you are doing. A lot of close self-monitoring, and keeping a list of questions or observations to run past your expert/EP when you get the chance. Certainly he should not want you on a beta blocker past about the 6 week mark if there's no apparent ectopy because he would want a veridical assessment of your heart's true condition when the Holter monitor is issued to you near Week 10.

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abob | @abob | Jun 16, 2025
In reply to @suerte "Another comment regarding the results of a PFA procedure is that my EP told me, and..." + (show)
Profile picture for suerte @suerte

Another comment regarding the results of a PFA procedure is that my EP told me, and it was listed in the discharge documents, that I may go in and out of Afib shortly after the procedure, but these Afib episodes should stop. It has been 3 weeks plus since the PFA procedure and no Afib episodes. My only complaint is a low pulse rate (mid 50s to mid 60s) and some fatigue, and I sometimes walk around like I am drunk. I am back to doing all of my ranch chores including stacking some bales of hay.

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EP thought to take my husband off BP meds after ablation to see if he “reset”, but BP was gradually increasing and bpm decreasing. He is take Norvasc now and 🤞that his BP and rate will be one within normal range.

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anonymous81 | @anonymous81 | Jun 17, 2025

which EP did the pfa ablation

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celia16 | @celia16 | Aug 9, 2025

I’m reading here since we learned my mom at 84 has (I believe) afib with flutters this week. The doctors office spoke with her and she wasn’t clear on the details. She recalls they said the results were not normal. Her complaint to get the monitor was weakness, fatigue, and episodes of flutter sensations . Her 2 week heart monitor results came back to her GP and they called to get her back for return visit and called in prescription for her to start Diltiazem.

My dad had Afib periodically over the years that was successfully treated with meds and then cardioversion. I guess we’ll get a clearer picture at the upcoming appointment in a couple of weeks.

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foundryrat743 | @foundryrat743 | Aug 9, 2025
In reply to @tntwo99 "I started having AV Flutter in 1997. It escalated into Afib a year later. I wound..." + (show)
Profile picture for tntwo99 @tntwo99

I started having AV Flutter in 1997. It escalated into Afib a year later. I wound up with a pacemaker. During a very severe episode of Afib and Flutter, my cardiologist decided to do an ablation on my right ventricle. But after starting, they found it was on the left side. They couldn't do it then, so they cardio-converted me.

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That must have been difficult for you to deal with, when the Docs worked on an ablation, on your right ventricle, only to realize the problem was on the left side! Your stating they could not do the left side, and then did a cardio-conversion, would have stressed me out! Having A-Fib problems is stressful, in my opinion! I hope it all gets straightened out, for you!

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