Continued medications after AFib after pulsed field ablation

In my experience, after an ablation of any time comes an 8-week 'blanking period.' After that, two/three weeks normally, the electrophysiologist would order a Holter monitor to be worn by the patient for at least 18 hours. If the report shows no ectopy, then you should/would normally be advised to cease any anti-arrhythmic and rate control drugs. You might be asked to continue to take an anti-coagulant if your risk remains high for stroke.

I know nothing about your circumstances, your history, or what your risk is predicted to be going forward. On the face of it, and based solely on the bits of information you have shared, you should probably have long since been off anything except for perhaps a DOAC (direct oral anti-coagulant).

Ask your EP.

Thanks for the info. I have an upcoming appointment with my cardiologist, l will discuss everything with him.
Have a nice day, Michael

So my Echo came back not looking to great . My doctor wants to change my medicine from Sotalol to Mexiletine. Has anybody ever been on Mexiletine?
Also, I’m due to go to Mayo to see my cardiologist there in a couple of weeks. Do I wait and see what they say?

Hello @mldelprete, some time has passed but I was wondering how your February appointment went with your cardiologist? Were you able to discuss the continuation of your medications after your PFA? What did they have to say?

@kbromwell,

Sorry to hear about your echo not looking great. It is good to hear you have an appointment with Mayo Clinic. Did your current provider explain why the switch was needed in your medication?

@jc76 has talked about taking mexiletine on Connect and may have an experience to share with you in regards to that medication.

@JustinMcClanahan @kbromwell
Be glad too. I have had decades of issues with PVCs and tachycardia. This medication really worked for me.

Back in 2016 I went to emergency room (first time ever for HF and ICD shocks and not had to go back again for that reason) having received 5 shocks in 24 hours. I got a I.V. drip of Amiodarone that really helped bring my heart back to regular rhythm. When released and for months after the cardiology department and EP could not believe the improvement in my PVCS and tachycardia. However, I read the side effects of toxicity from Amiodarone and asked my EP could he wean me off it. He agreed but it took about 6 months to do it.

About a year ago I was getting more and more PVCs and non-sustained tachycardia. That is when I asked for ablation, but EP wanted to try a medication called Mexiletine. Per my EP it has a very low toxicity and thus leaves the body dramatically more quickly than Amiodarone and thus the low toxicity. However, it must be taken every 8 hours as again it does not build up toxicity and leaves the body fairly soon.

I have a ICD/Pacemaker test done every 3 months. Every report I got after that I was told dramatic improvements in tachycardia and much lower PVCs.

I hope that helps and if not kbromwell can send me a private message and I will provide a longer explanation of my experience with it.

Thank you Justin ..that makes me feel a lot better. I have my appointments at Mayo next Monday so we will see what they say.