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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Having Ablation Would Be Good Choice To Stop The A-fib?

I am 66 years old and have had lone atrial fibrillation for 20 years.. I would have it once a month for about 18 hours then it would clear up.. I just started taking flecainide couple months ago and have not gone into a-fib after taking flecainide. Flecainide does make me dizzy and feel a little tired.. I am scheduled to have a catheter ablation May 28. Do you think having ablation would be my best choice to stop the a-fib.. Thank you
Mon, 30 Mar 2015
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hi,
As you have mentioned you have lone atrial fibrillation which is paroxysmal (episodic) since last 20 years.

I would advise you to undergo catheter ablation as
1. It is a Lone atrial fibrillation ie. there is no underlying heart disease (which can be evident on echocardiography), good result is expected.
2. It is present since 20 years with frequency at least once a month and certain episodes last for 18 hours. Due to this there is high possibility of developing blood clots in heart (possibility increases with age of patient, duration of episode of atrial fibrillation and concomittant presence of high blood pressure, diabetes.) and these blood clots may lead to Cerebro vascular accidents (ie. brain damage due to occlusion of blood supply of brain by embolization of blood clot from heart.
3. Your Age 65 yrs, increasing age is a independent risk factor for CVA.
4. Though you have not gone into AF again after starting Flecainide, there are side effects of flecainide.

Definitely you can take your time to take decision of ablation, as AF is controlled with flecainide.

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Does Having Ablation Would Be Good Choice To Stop The A-fib?

Hi, As you have mentioned you have lone atrial fibrillation which is paroxysmal (episodic) since last 20 years. I would advise you to undergo catheter ablation as 1. It is a Lone atrial fibrillation ie. there is no underlying heart disease (which can be evident on echocardiography), good result is expected. 2. It is present since 20 years with frequency at least once a month and certain episodes last for 18 hours. Due to this there is high possibility of developing blood clots in heart (possibility increases with age of patient, duration of episode of atrial fibrillation and concomittant presence of high blood pressure, diabetes.) and these blood clots may lead to Cerebro vascular accidents (ie. brain damage due to occlusion of blood supply of brain by embolization of blood clot from heart. 3. Your Age 65 yrs, increasing age is a independent risk factor for CVA. 4. Though you have not gone into AF again after starting Flecainide, there are side effects of flecainide. Definitely you can take your time to take decision of ablation, as AF is controlled with flecainide.