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Atrial Flutter Question
I am a 23 year old male who a couple years ago was diagnosed with paroxismal atrial flutter. I have undergone 2 ablation surgeries that were both unsuccessful and have since been put on medication, sotalol, which has kept my heart in rhythm and i have experienced no problems since being put on this medication. It has been about 2 years since my last ablation surgery and my doctor has lowered my dosage of sotalol from 80mg twice a day to 40mg twice a day and have shown no negative effects. I guess my question is, is it possible that the ablation surgery showed as unsuccessful initially but over time my heart has recovered and it may have been solved? And, are there any possible negative long term effects from being on this medication, sotalol, for a long time if i have to remain on it for a number of years more? and finally, are there any new or interesting developments in this field of medicine that may help people with my problem in the near future? Thanks for any help you can provide!
After my second surgery I was weaned off the medicine and after being completely off of it for a couple days the arrythmia started up again. I had the procedures done in Canada at the University of Alberta Hospital.
Thanks for the help, I appreciate it. The reason I have so many questions is because the doctors suggested doing the ablasion a third time, but they said they couldn't be sure if they would find the probem and i don't really like the idea of burning my heart wall when the doctors don't really know if it is accomplishing anything...
Thanks for the help, I appreciate it. The reason I have so many questions is because the doctors suggested doing the ablasion a third time, but they said they couldn't be sure if they would find the probem and i don't really like the idea of burning my heart wall when the doctors don't really know if it is accomplishing anything...
COMMUNITY LEADER
My experience with the "mini-maze" is it didn't work. Fortunately the reason I had open heart surgery was to repair a mitral valve. Thus, while open anyway, a mini-maze was done. My surgeon gave it an estimated 60% chance of stopping my AFib. I fill in the 40% group.
It is also my understanding that the risks of open heart surgery, perhaps in the 3-5% range for serious complications including death and stroke, are taken only if the condition being worked is itself life threatening. In my case I was suffering heart enlargement which would lead to congestive heart failure in a few years.
Given you successful results from Sotalol I recommend to stick with the medication.
It is also my understanding that the risks of open heart surgery, perhaps in the 3-5% range for serious complications including death and stroke, are taken only if the condition being worked is itself life threatening. In my case I was suffering heart enlargement which would lead to congestive heart failure in a few years.
Given you successful results from Sotalol I recommend to stick with the medication.
Hello...
I am interested about how they determined that your 2nd procedure was unsuccessful. Did you have recurrence of the arrhythmia? If in fact you still have atrial flutter, I know that the Mayo Clinic does, as a last resort for cure, perform a surgical procedure called a "mini maze." These are usually performed for curative measures for people who suffer with Afib, but there have been successes with Atrial Flutter as well. You could check out the Mayo Clinic online.
As for the medication. I haven't heard of any long term risks regarding long term use. Dr's will typically start you on a higher dose and then taper down as long if you have no recurring arrhythmia.
Along with Sotolol, you should be taking an anticoagulant like Coumadin or at the very least an antiplatelet like Aspirin. With Atrial Fib/Flutter there is an increased risk of stroke, so these 2 medications decrease your risk of suffering the catastrophic results of a stroke.
Where did you have your procedures done?
I hope that my info is helpful to you:)
I am interested about how they determined that your 2nd procedure was unsuccessful. Did you have recurrence of the arrhythmia? If in fact you still have atrial flutter, I know that the Mayo Clinic does, as a last resort for cure, perform a surgical procedure called a "mini maze." These are usually performed for curative measures for people who suffer with Afib, but there have been successes with Atrial Flutter as well. You could check out the Mayo Clinic online.
As for the medication. I haven't heard of any long term risks regarding long term use. Dr's will typically start you on a higher dose and then taper down as long if you have no recurring arrhythmia.
Along with Sotolol, you should be taking an anticoagulant like Coumadin or at the very least an antiplatelet like Aspirin. With Atrial Fib/Flutter there is an increased risk of stroke, so these 2 medications decrease your risk of suffering the catastrophic results of a stroke.
Where did you have your procedures done?
I hope that my info is helpful to you:)
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