Ablation or Tikosyn?

[zueman]

I'm 50, and have had atrial fib for 9 years.  I've tried several meds, but to be honest all of them left me feeling fatigued.  Heart rate was also very low when on meds, about 42 - 48 bpm resting and down to 28 - 30 at low point during sleep.  Anyway, I went to my Cardiologist who said I was a good candidate for ablation.  After meeting with another doc, and asking some very good questions, I thought, I decided to go in the hospital for three days and get on Tikosyn, and put off ablation until a later date.  The thing is, after reading all the info related to Tikosyn, ablation sounds like a pretty good alternative.  While my episodes are annoying, they do not significantly interfere with my daily life, but if I am to have the ablation procedure, I don't want to wait too long until the success rate is lower because of a more advanced state of AF.  I guess I'm looking for any advice I can get either way.  My wife, understandably, is every bit as worried about the procedure as I am.  I'm currently scheduled for the Tikosyn procedure on November 22 and whichever procedure I decide to have, I'll be having it at Baptist Heart in Little Rock, AR.  Thanks in advance for all the comments and advice.

[Bob5855]

I've had AF for more than 10 years. I tried many mediactions but none of them worked very well. Tikosyn is the best among all. My AF was intermittend. 5 days SR - 5 days AF. I've had ablation on Sep 6th 2012 worked very well. AF free since. After the ablation My Dr. discontinued Tikosyn but then I was back to AF 5days/5days SR/AF. Placed back on Tikosyn 500mg twice a day again and didn't have an AF episode since. Every once in a while It tries to come back to no avail.
I'll be glad to help if you have any questions.    

[ian631]

I had a heart ablation because I would have episodes where my heart rate would jump to 238 bpm. I had it done in 2005, and have had no complications. I was in and out the same day, about 5 hours. Here's the thing though, there are three different places where the extra electrical pathway can be, and accordingly, how well the procedure will hold. Fortunately for me, I had the easiest one to get to, and am doing great. This first happened in 1992, I was 24, so I opted to take Atenolol, instead of the Surgery. I got used to the meds, and finally had the surgery. I would recommend just doing the surgery and get it over with. No pain or other complications in recovery. It's great !!

[torontoafibguy]

I have been on Tikosyn since December. No side effects. NSR excepting when I tempt aFib by either consuming trigger foods like caffeine, MSG, salt OR when I let my magnesium or potassium drop.  I try to keep my potassium level in the 4.7 - 4.9 range using low sodium V8 or Mott's Garden Cocktail (loaded with the stuff) and sprinkling Potasssium into my food (1tspn=1gram).  Thus far, asides from a few gentle reminders of who is in charge I have been in NSR.  I am not a candidate for ablation as my left atrium is 60mm. and they want to see it under 50mm. hopefully.  And the plan is to remain in NSR and see if it will shrink.  Fingers crossed.  If your kidneys are healthy I would consider TIKOSYN.  If you have a very high level of confidence in your electrophysiologist and you are a PRIME candidate for ablation, however, I would not waste time.

[mcpiper]

In Feb. of '09 I was diagnosed with AF.  My Dr. said AF is more common in people with mitral valve problems like mine.  My regurgitiation at that time was not to the point for repair or replacement.  I was put on warfarin which did not make me a happy camper.  In March, I went to Emory University to have a TEE to check my valve.  It had deteriorated to the point that surgery was called for.  In the meantime, I was still in persistent AF.

During surgery, it was discovered that my valve was beyond repair and it was replaced with a pig valve.  While the surgeon was in there, he repaired a hole that never closed after birth, removed an apendage that serves no purpose (it is where blood pools and forms clots) and did a Maze proceedure to eliminate my AF. By the way, they did not saw my sternum open, but went in between two ribs above my right nipple.

I was in sinus rhythm for only a day or two.  In January of '10, my cardiologist did an electrocardioversion.  It lasted for one day.  He then put me on Soltolol for about 6 weeks and tried another ECV.  This time I was in SR for 2 days.  He took me off of Soltolot and put me on Flecanaide (spelling?) and did another ECV after 2 weeks.  This time I lasted in SR for 1 week.  

He consulted with one of the electrophysiologists at Emory and they decided to give Tikosyn a try.  When I awoke in the hospital on the 2nd day of a 4 day stay, a nurse said that I had been in SR since 3AM.  

After going home, I would go into AF  about once every 10-18 days for about 18 hours.  It would then go back to SR.   Then I would last about 6 weeks and only go out of rhythm for about 4-6 hours.   Now, I have been in SR for at least 4 months.  I can't believe how much better I feel.  My Dr. said the heart likes to beat in rhythm and the longer it stays that way, the more likely it is to stay.  I am now 63 and feel better than I did when I was 50.  I guess I'm one of the lucky ones where Tikosyn works!

[mischelle184]

My husband needs a defibulator. Anyone out there that has one?

[aceram]

I was on amiodorone for 5 years and started turning purple. Had to get off it and have had 2 ablations since. 1 april 2009 and the second Oct. 2009. Recovery from the ablations was very simple, in fact I walked out of the hospital on the second day. Since then I had 4 cardioversions and am holding my own the last 2 weeks. That was my 20th cardioversion, and the person in the room beside me had his 4th ablation and 40th cardioversion. I understand there is a new form of amiodirone out there that does not turn you purple. does amyone know about this new drug???