1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Ablation for Afib

Posted by mec151 @mec151, 3 days ago

I’m looking for shared experiences with folks who have had only one or two AFib occurrences over six months. I am in that situation right now where I had two AFib episodes in November 24 and am being encouraged to have an ablation. Currently, I am not on any meds. But, if I should have an episode I have a med protocol of metoprolol and eliquis. I monitor 24/7 with an Apple Watch and an Oura. Any advice on how to reduce the chance of recurrence? I’m not thrilled about the ablation.

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Zebra | @californiazebra | 1 day ago
In reply to @abob "My husband has been on Keytruda for almost 1 year and Afibs started a couple of..." + (show)
@abob

My husband has been on Keytruda for almost 1 year and Afibs started a couple of months ago. He just had ablations which eliminated fatigue and lack of appetite. We have requested that Onc & EP drs discuss ongoing treatment(s).

Did you continue cancer med? If so, affect on Afib?

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Hi @abob
So did the ablations also stop the afib episodes? It seems so if it stopped the fatigue which is awful during afib.

Yes, am continuing the cancer med Kisqali. Not only would I be afraid to stop it, but after 4 years of progressive afib episodes, I’m not sure the afib would even stop now if I stopped Kisqali. I’m thinking I was likely predisposed to afib and the Kisqali pushed me over the edge.

6 years before I started Kisqali I had an afib episode when I lost 25 pounds in a month due to dysphasia and my heart freaked out. That’s why I think I’m predisposed. And a few family members have afib. Hmmm.

I have my reasons for not wanting ablations or meds based on my medical history but I may have to rethink it if my afib keeps progressing. I don’t do well with anesthesia for one thing and wish the ablation success rate was higher.

Best of luck to you.

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abob | @abob | 1 day ago

Thx for your reply.
Although he feels so much better, he has had a couple of afibs thus far during the first 2 weeks of the “blanking period” (which is 6-8 weeks?).

Keytruda does warn about possibly causing heart beat irregularities, along with “a billion” other warnings. He also just started experiencing low or high TSH readings, yet another Keytruda warning.

Difficult to weigh risk of no immunotherapy vs organ issues.

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1 reply
Zebra | @californiazebra | 1 day ago
In reply to @abob "Thx for your reply. Although he feels so much better, he has had a couple of..." + (show)
@abob

Thx for your reply.
Although he feels so much better, he has had a couple of afibs thus far during the first 2 weeks of the “blanking period” (which is 6-8 weeks?).

Keytruda does warn about possibly causing heart beat irregularities, along with “a billion” other warnings. He also just started experiencing low or high TSH readings, yet another Keytruda warning.

Difficult to weigh risk of no immunotherapy vs organ issues.

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@abob
I hope the ablation is ultimately successful after the blanking period. It would be great for you to eliminate that worry.

I hear you on the list of side effects for cancer meds. I’m on 3 meds for two different cancers and all are causing issues. I also had the very dangerous QT prolongation heart rhythm from Kisqali but we fixed that by lowering the dose.

The choices are not black and white. I constantly feel like I’m choosing between the lesser of two evils and hope I choose wisely.

I hope you’ll provide an update after the initial period.

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mmm | @mmm | 23 hours ago
In reply to @diane987654321 "I got afib after covid. I only had 3 episodes in the first 6 months, then..." + (show)
@diane987654321

I got afib after covid. I only had 3 episodes in the first 6 months, then it increased to once a week, then to once every 3 weeks after I figured out moderate exercise was a trigger. I do vagal nerve stim every night now too . I got ablated 10 days ago. I suggest you get a Kardia too, just wearing my watch only catches half of my episodes, and the watch’s ecg is handy but not as good as Kardia. I got a wellue ecg too, that thing is great. I did metoprolol then 60 min later flecainide when I got afib. I said “did”because I’m hopeful I won’t have any more afib! It took a solid 8 days to recover after the ablation, my groin was very mad at me.

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I, too, developed more problems with A-Fib after Covid, although my cardiologist indicated there is no science to indicate a causal relationship. After the flair up, he immediately added Eliquis to the metoprolol and flecainide. When asking if some of these meds or an ablation could be reduced, since the A-Fib has subsided greatly, he said an ablation might only reduce the dosage of one of the drugs and ablation carries risks. So he didn’t recommend any changes….He is a brilliant doctor and I am grateful for his expertise—and keeping me in good shape.

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