Atrial Fibrillation

[DianeM]

My 54 yr old husband was diagnosed with new onset Atrial Fib about March 2009. He has a history of PAT for which he has taken Verapamil for approximately 10 yrs. He is currently on Verapamil 360; Digoxin 0.125, & Coumadin. He has had 2 Cardioversions with a 30 sec conversion to RSR for the 1st; and less than 24 hours for the 2nd. He was also placed on Rhythmol prior to the 2nd cardioversion without any response. He is asymptomatic; had it not been for a routine physical, he wouldn't have known he was in Atrial Fib. He does not have hypertension or elevated cholesterols...He does have a history since birth of congenital hemolytic anemia / spherocytosis for which he's had a splenectomy as a toddler. His echo does show slight Left Atrial enlargement. Our current EP Cardiologist does not do ablation treatment for asymptomatic Atrial Fib. However, my concern is...if we're waiting until he's symptomatic, the risk of further heart damage & compromise grows higher; let alone the risk for clots with stroke or a heart attack I recently read that Multaq is now available for the treatment of Atrial Fib; however, it appears that the patient must be stable & converted to RSR prior to its use. The Cardiologist is NOT recommending Amiodarone 2nd to it's lung & thyroid side effects. Based on my husband's age....should we go ahead & seek the ablation therapy?

[Jerry_NJ]

Diane,

I suffer from permanent AFib and it is more-or-less asymptomatic. Both my cardiologist and the consulting EP said, no on ablation for me, the risk outweighs the possible benefit.

That said, they may have a different view for someone, such as you husband, who is more than 10 years younger than me.

I have a complex heart history I'll spare you the details beyond having undergone open heart surgery for a mitral valve repair, sever electrocardioversions, and other procedures. I have had periods of NSR following electrocardioversions.