Brief Answer: RF ABLATION will permanently cure your afib Detailed Answer: Hi There, Thanks for your query. Firstly, afib can prove to be XXXXXXX or even life-threatening. Further, since the heart beats irregularly during afib, chances of developing blood clots in the heart cavities are very high. These clots frequently get dislodged, get carried by the blood stream to the brain (and other parts of the body) and commonly block the brain vessels, which cause strokes. Hence, warfarin is given, which prevents the formation of clots in the heart cavities. Further, the heart rate is maintained to within normal range, by a delicate balance between two counteracting systems : parasympathetic system which reduces the rate and, sympathetic system which increases it. Sotalol, Lopressor and Betapace belong to a class of drugs called Beta-blockers, which reduce the heart rate (as in afib) by suppressing sympathetic system. Electro-physiological study (EPS) is carried out after removing the sympathetic as well as parasympathetic influence on the heart. Hence, your betapace was stopped prior to the study. EPS was carried out determine the conduction abnormality causing afib in your case. Apparently, an abnormal circuit- which was precipitating afib, was detected in your heart. Deactivating this circuit by rf ablation will permanently cure the afib. HENCE, YOU SHOULD CERTAINLY GO IN FOR THIS CURATIVE TREATMENT OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION- A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION. Lastly, the curative effect of a successful rf ablation is INSTANTANEOUS. After rf a successful ablation, if no blood clots are detected in the heart cavities, ALL medications for afib will be STOPPED. Hope I have answered your query. I will be happy to address to further clarifications, if any. Fond regards, Dr. Rakesh Karanwal

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