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Drugs vs Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Posted by gloaming @gloaming, 2 days ago

Those trying to make up their minds to get an ablation or to commence, or stay on, a regimen of anti-arrhythmic medicines might be interested in new evidence:

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

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sjm46 | @sjm46 | 1 day ago
In reply to @carlwgordon "@sjm46 So you had to remain on blood thinners after abilation?" + (show)
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@sjm46
So you had to remain on blood thinners after abilation?

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@carlwgordon Absolutely; that is the one thing that does not change after an ablation unless you decide to go for the Watchman procedure which supposedly eliminates the risk of clots that can cause a stroke. I have decided that I can tolerate the Eliquis since I have no significant side effects and my insurance pays for it (if you don't have good insurance, it can be very expensive). If I can remain A-fib free, I will settle for taking blood thinners. My cardiologist does not feel that it is optional, but not all of them agree on that.

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sandw40 | @sandw40 | 23 hours ago
In reply to @gloaming "@sjm46 It is unfortunate, in some ways, that cardiologists make a living from diagnosing, informing, consulting,..." + (show)
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@sjm46 It is unfortunate, in some ways, that cardiologists make a living from diagnosing, informing, consulting, and then prescribing for patients because referring their patients right away for an ablation cuts them off of the potential income. IOW, it isn't in their interest to send a patient of theirs out the door, pointed toward the EP's offices across the street. So, as you say, they tend to want to keep you in their offices for at least a year or two.

Call me cynical, but.......................all EPs are cardiologists before they specialize. Why go to the Middle Man?

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@gloaming
A patient "cured" is income lost.😉

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beachbum70 | @beachbum70 | 23 hours ago

I was on a medicine to control my heart called flecainide it worked for a short period of time the side effects were difficult to deal with the ablation is a good idea then you don't have to take pills I've heard a lot of good stories about people that get ablations. Good luck

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nanalu | @nanalu | 21 hours ago

I've had 2 cardiac ablation for paraxsysmal Afib. The first lasted about 2 years. The 2nd one, about 1 1/2 years. I'm debating whether to get a 3rd one. I've been treated with Multaq for years, even after the ablations. The problem is I hate having to go to the emergency room when in atrial tachycardia since the Multaq and former ablations aren't working. And, it is difficult to plan vacations to other countries since I'm afraid of ending up in the hospital. Has anyone had 3? Was it more successful? FYI. I have never been cardioverted. And had 2 different Electrophsiologist.

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gloaming | @gloaming | 13 hours ago
In reply to @nanalu "I've had 2 cardiac ablation for paraxsysmal Afib. The first lasted about 2 years. The 2nd..." + (show)
Profile picture for nanalu @nanalu

I've had 2 cardiac ablation for paraxsysmal Afib. The first lasted about 2 years. The 2nd one, about 1 1/2 years. I'm debating whether to get a 3rd one. I've been treated with Multaq for years, even after the ablations. The problem is I hate having to go to the emergency room when in atrial tachycardia since the Multaq and former ablations aren't working. And, it is difficult to plan vacations to other countries since I'm afraid of ending up in the hospital. Has anyone had 3? Was it more successful? FYI. I have never been cardioverted. And had 2 different Electrophsiologist.

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@nanalu One of the world's best is Dr. Andrea Natale at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin. He will often do a repair to previous ablations that have failed, but he'd have to review your case. I know several people who have had five or six ablations until they went to Natale. One, a retire EMT, had the six. He hasn't had AF since Natale worked on him. Natale isn't perfect, but he's the best money can buy this side of the Atlantic. His teacher was Dr. Pierre Jais in Bordeauz, France.

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nanalu | @nanalu | 9 hours ago

Thank you for your reply. Wish he was on the East Coast.

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