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Echo Figures

Hi All

         Age 89 Male
         I have been in perm AF for 10 years. No cause given. (my brother also suffers the same prob).
        Current meds Warfarin, Sotalol (180mg), Aspirin 75mg, Ramipril(10mgs), Ezetrol, Plavix and NitroDisc 5mg.

       Until 2 years ago, AF was only diagnosed problem. Then after a nuclear stress test(done privately) CAD was suspected. Angiogram confirmed blockage of 85%+ in LAD. Bifurcation stent fitted to resolve (BMS) (2006)
       Never really felt any better and a new angiogram suggested that the prob was probably blockage in RCA, so a
further stent fitted (DES).(2007)
       Even after this I still get chest pains after slight excercise (especially walking up inclines), hence NitroDisc.

       Health service Cardios do not want to do any more angiograms.
      
      Of course during all this my AF has been forgotten about, but not by me !!
      My HR is managed at around 75-80 bpm, and normally I am not aware of the AF.
      I decided to have an Echo done last week, because I am aware of the probs of enlarged Left Atria.
     The cardio that did the test has reported no significant changes and nothing to worry about.

    I was surprised as the Echo shows a LA diameter of 4.6cm. (It was 2.9 at my first Echo  10 years ago)

    Is this something I should actually be concerned about???

   Also any opinions on trying to stop the AF with medications as opposed to Rate controlling by the Sotalol.

( I did take Amiodarone on first diagnosis of AF and it all but stopped the AF withinn 2 weeks)

   Health service docs took me off it saying I was too young to be on it, of course AF came back)    
5 Responses
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Avatar universal
Oh shoot..........and here I was thinking how cool of this elderly gent to be posting on the internet!!  I'm just gonna forget that you updated your age, and pretend that you are still 89!  ;-)
Helpful - 0
255722 tn?1452546541
Well HAPPY BIRTHDAY. You just gained 30 years!!!!!!!!   Not every day you do that!!!!!!


:-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Both, thanks for the replies

            First a mistake by me. Just noticed I put in 89 years !!!!! Bit off that i am 59.

            Well when I say I do not feel the AF, I mean I dont have any sensations of lumping and bumping, I guess i have gotten used to it.
INR is always pretty stable unless I take new drugs,
One of my probs I think is that now with CAD, I dont know what is causing the biggest problem. I was always told that I would always fail a stress test, due to the AF, well its true that i have failed 2 tests, I am usually tired and have to take small naps in the day.
I am steadily putting on weight, despite running a pretty careful diet ( I am expat UK living in Portugal).and that doesnt help. Exercising is almost impossible, due to the angina pains.
Yes I am aware of ablations (My first electrocardio suggested AV node ablation and pacemaker, 9 years ago !!!!!! ) I saw that as a one way ticket and always hoped that the drug guys would come up with something for the AF, but not to date.
Ablations scare the daylights out of me, and as I see it, it is a bit hit and miss, esp when its well established, and with CAD.
  In addition I remember the times I visited the ER when this first started, and remember the sensations in the chest,now being used to it, I dont seem to have thise episodes, just the debilitating effects of it.
My brother suffers the same prob, and lives in France (near Bordeaux) and has been to see Hassegau,(top man) who has suggested that he does not have an ablation !!!!

Yes you are right I think I have had enough of this.
Helpful - 0
255722 tn?1452546541
I agree with maggiemag!  However, I will say that if I had been in AF for 10 years, I might seriously consider visiting and electrophysiologist for an electrical mapping and ablation procedure.  Ablation, if successful, destroys the cells that cause the AF and, while it may not completely cure you, it usually DRAMATICALLY reduces the episodes.

Again, as maggiemag says...you are doing something right.  Sounds like you are living with this fairly well, but I am not as patient as you seem to be.  After 10 years I think I'd be ready to say, "give me a break already."

Take care,
A
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not a doctor, but frankly I am surprised that your left atrium isn't bigger!  Yes, yours is enlarged but not horribly so, especially for someone that has been in AF for 10 years.  As far as trying to stop the AF even though you have great rate control, I would bet that the majority of cardiologist would say to leave well enough alone, especially since you say you normally do not even notice the AF.  You must be doing a great job with control of your INR/PT too.  I say keep up the good  work!
Helpful - 0
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