I went into AFib in august 2023 after coming home from the hospital after I had a turp for bladder cancer.

Back to the hospital. They tried to flip me back to sinus rhythm with meds but my blood pressure would drop to low.

My heart rate stated around 150 for three days so they did a cardioversion.

Worked great, went home the next day. The day after that, back into AFib. Another cardioversion and then kept me on some nasty meds until I could get in for a cryoablation.

Had the cryoablation in November 2023 and then started chemo for bladder cancer in January 2024.

No AFib since then but am on Eliquis and toporol.

I had burns on my back and chest from both cardio versions.

quote:

Originally posted by PCWyoming:
Tom.
Hoping for the best outcome for your wife.
Prayers sent.

PC

Thanks, Paul

Not sure where ya live in Wyoming, but if you were at MCR in Loveland, I'm about 15 minutes away. If you have to come back down this way and need anything, holler. I'm not traveling as much, so most likely would be home.

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:
Not sure where ya live in Wyoming, but if you were at MCR in Loveland, I'm about 15 minutes away. If you have to come back down this way and need anything, holler. I'm not traveling as much, so most likely would be home.

Thanks, brother

Happy your wife caught it and is doing well. Last August I went for my yearly wellness exam, I'm 80, my PA said all was good, just let me get my stethoscope, he then went "Uh,Oh", crazy heart beat. Off to cardiologist ,yup, AFIB, put on Eliquis and others. Being I'd had no symptoms they did a battery of tests to determine the cause, which is still not known. For a few months I was seeing one PA at an area hospital, and seemed to be getting worse. My breathing went downhill, winded in 20 feet. PA said go to ER, I did and it was the best thing that happened. They discovered I had pneumonia, too. They tried two cardioversions with no success but made a referral to a new cardiologist. Finally, after a few months of seeing only a PA I saw a Dr. He checked a recent x-ray not showing pneumonia and scheduled another cardioversion, which worked. He tweaked my meds and I've been very good since late Dec, no AFIB, BP good but a little erratic, HB averages 70.

The first cariologist PA was really pushing a sleep study, I scheduled it but that's when by breathing went downhill. I haven't rescheduled, probably won't. My new cardiologist never brought it up and he's very highly regarded. I, also, left my last cardioversion and went right to Best Buy for an Apple Watch, the cardiologist highly recommended it. We, also spoke about a Watchman and Tykosin but decided to hold off on either.

I would like to add, keep your watch charged, I was surprised once when I was feeling kind of funky and I looked at my smart watch and it was dead.

quote:

Originally posted by UTsig:
The first cariologist PA was really pushing a sleep study, I scheduled it but that's when by breathing went downhill. I haven't rescheduled, probably won't. My new cardiologist never brought it up and he's very highly regarded.

I really don't understand that decision. Have you ASKED him about it and described your sleep habits and outcomes? Like from the perspective of your SO who watches you stop breathing, snoring like a mule, etc.?

I know folks think apnea is over-diagnosed, but for those with heart issues it's a better safe than dead option in many cases. I'm missing a dear friend who had a prior heart attack, chronic issues and was diagnosed with serious obstructive sleep apnea. After less than two weeks on the hose he declared it was just too much of a PITA and packed up the CPAP for good. Less than 3 months later he had another heart attack during sleep, didn't make it out of the bedroom alive that time. Caused by apnea; no way to know, but it sure as shit wasn't helping an already off-kilter circulatory and respiratory system.

There's no way for a cardiologist or primary care doc to know you have issues you don't describe to him, and a sleep study at home is painless and only a few days of sleeping with a tiny oxygen like hose under your nose. Just do it.

^^^^^^^^^^^
Agree with above. I would NOT do the at home sleep test as they are not as comprehensive. The test is pretty simple and painless when done in a lab. A tech is there all night and will unhook you if you need to use the toilet.

I have A-fib too. Metoprolol and Flecanide along with a blood thinner do the trick. J did have an ablation that took care of most of the problems.

tmats, your cardiologist did just the right thing, moving your wife to the head of the line and doing a TEE. Without a TEE, after 24 hours or so it's not safe to do a cardioversion without weeks of anticoagulation.
Followup with the cardiologist will include probably an event monitor, and discussion of rate control with anticoagulation vs rhythm control, also with anticoagulation.
Recurrence is very likely.
Someone above mentioned the Watchman left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion device, which has become quite popular. It doesn't end atrial fibrillation, it just prevents clots in the LAA from being expelled leading to a stroke. So long-term anticoagulation is not necessary.
However, rate control with a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker may still be needed; and some people feel worse when in atrial fib. Those people in particular should be considered for ablation of atrial fib.
You'll be discussing these options with your cardiologist You and your wife are in good hands.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

I really don't understand that decision. Have you ASKED him about it and described your sleep habits and outcomes? Like from the perspective of your SO who watches you stop breathing, snoring like a mule, etc.?

I don't notice any sleep interruption, I don't snore. These questions were asked by both cardio centers. The first facility I went to did not have a cardiologist that worked with electrophysiology, that was a concern of mine and I only saw a PA. After the ER, I was referred to an electrophysiologist and saw the Dr. A world of difference, he made a minor med adjustment and sent me for a just completed pulmonary test, consultation on Monday.

A young friend was watching his kid when he went into Afib. He's a RN and recognized what it was. Took his kid and went to the ER for a cardioversion, did it without anesthesia. I asked about doing that and they told me it was like being kicked by a horse, I went under.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
tmats, your cardiologist did just the right thing, moving your wife to the head of the line and doing a TEE. Without a TEE, after 24 hours or so it's not safe to do a cardioversion without weeks of anticoagulation.
Followup with the cardiologist will include probably an event monitor, and discussion of rate control with anticoagulation vs rhythm control, also with anticoagulation.
Recurrence is very likely.
Someone above mentioned the Watchman left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion device, which has become quite popular. It doesn't end atrial fibrillation, it just prevents clots in the LAA from being expelled leading to a stroke. So long-term anticoagulation is not necessary.
However, rate control with a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker may still be needed; and some people feel worse when in atrial fib. Those people in particular should be considered for ablation of atrial fib.
You'll be discussing these options with your cardiologist You and your wife are in good hands.

Thanks, Doc! I knew you were here, just didn’t recall your username.

My pleasure, sir. My practice these days is limited to family, friends, and random people who find out I am/was a cardiologist. Oh and SigForum members, of course.