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AF was known to the ancient Chinese, Greeks and Egyptians (so were strokes). No, they didn't know what caused it, but they were aware of the symptoms and that it existed. So looking for modern lifestyle explanations is futile. The more likely explanation is hypertension causing atrial stretch, which leads to atrial fibrosis, which leads to AF. Endurance sports, weight lifting, sleep apnea, hby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting article, thanks.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
No, it's not recommended and please don't ever mention that I said you can refuse it because I think that's being misinterpreted. Natale ablates only what needs to be ablated to solve your problem. He doesn't automatically ablate anything. This notion of refusing LAA isolation is something I wish I'd never mentioned. You shouldn't be telling your heart surgeon hby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteGeorgeN I believe the stats are a 40% chance of getting off OAC for LAA isolation. I don't know if that applies to coronary sinus isolation. That number is correct (source: Natale). As for why ablating the coronary sinus (CS) needs the same protocol as LAA isolation, I talked to Shannon about that and he talked to Natale. The reason is that the distal end of the CS is so close toby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
It can, but only by a little. Nowhere near as much as your Bystolic does.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesafib I thought you said before that one could leave instructions not to ablate the LAA. What I am saying here is that I would like to add to that other areas which have similar outlook for lifelong OAC's. If that means nothing gets ablated at that time, so be it. I would like to be fully informed and to have that choice. Well, you can, but I wouldn't tie a doctor's hands liby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesafib I would like to be fully informed about the parameters of the ablation to be performed, and the resulting statistics for lifelong OAC's barring a Watchman. This discussion should take into account medical as well as financial and personal preferences which may not be evident or compelling while the ablation procedure is actually taking place. I don't know how that would beby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuotePokey Carey: What is the contact info for Dr. Natale. After you telling me about him I may want to followup in the future https://tcainstitute.com/physicians/profile/Andrea-Natale-MD-FACCby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting and good to know. Thanks!by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteLani Belisle I understand some doctors perform a TEE even when a patient has been continuously on anti coagulant medication, Thoughts? Some doctors allow patients on Amiodarone to stay on it to the day of ablation, and a few months afterward. Thoughts? Hard to say why a doctor might require a TEE despite continuous anticoagulation for >3 weeks. It could be specific patient characby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesusan.d Carey does your post means Dr Natale keeps his patients generally on Eliquis for 6 months? No, not at all. The protocol Cirene describes is for patients who have had their LAA isolated.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've never heard of flecainide causing insomnia, but lots of drugs have lots of different side effects in different people. Let's focus on your other thread, okay? Having two threads going with this one not actually about you is too confusing.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Okay, now I understand better. He did a right-sided ablation for AFL, found AF while he was at it, but didn't try to ablate it. A shame he didn't go ahead and deal with the AF the time, but maybe he didn't have prior authorization for that with your insurance company. What I would recommend is 1) take advice on this matter only from the EP who did your procedure, not a generalby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes, you can stop cold turkey. Flecainide does not require tapering. Very few drugs do.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I think she used somewhat confusing terminology in her email, but it's not exactly easy to explain heart anatomy to patients, especially in an email. The bottom line is I think your LAA has been isolated so you need to follow their advice carefully. You can have a TEE done locally, but the reason they ask you to come back to Austin for it is they've had poor results from other centeby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would stop the flecainide just like he suggested. If you go back into AF or AFL, no big deal. They restart you on something else and cardiovert you.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
That's the standard protocol if he isolated your left atrial appendage (LAA), not the CS. You sure you read the email right? If he did isolate your LAA, do not under any circumstances stop the Eliquis until they do that TEE. And that means not even for a single day.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Pokey, when was your ablation? If it was more than couple of months ago you could try just stopping the flecainide entirely. If your ablation was successful, you don't need it.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quoteallofus Do they prescribe Flecainide alone? I thought it was always prescribed with either dilitiazem or a beta blocker?? He's already taking Bystolic for hypertension and it's a beta blocker, so no need for the diltiazem.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lani, I lived in Cary in the 1980s. Yeah, really, Carey from Cary.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Most EPs prefer metoprolol with diltiazem as a second choice if beta blockers aren't a good choice. Personally, I despise all beta blockers because they suck the life right out of me. Some people aren't affected by them much, but I'm one of the unlucky ones who is.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Wolfpack, normally I'd agree with you regarding high-volume Duke vs. Wake, but Dr. Hranitzky previously worked at Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute and is still listed as one of their EPs, so that right there is a major point in his favor. I don't think you get hired by Natale if you don't have the chops.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
See wolfpack's comment. Any problems caused by the intubation would have been apparent right away and it wouldn't show up a week later and then last a month. Very unlikely it's related to the ablation.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dofetilide is the generic name for Tikosyn, so yeah, they're the same drug. Flecainide and proprafenone are in the same class of drugs and have the same mechanism of action. So if proprafenone wasn't working for you then flecainide almost certainly won't either. It would most likely be a waste of time trying it. Your choices now would be Multaq, Tikosyn, sotalol, or amiodaronby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Probably not related to the ablation. A dry cough is a symptom of COVID-19, so if you develop a fever you should call your doctor and ask what to do. Quarantining yourself might not be a bad idea.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Depending on your medical history flecainide could be dangerous for you. Get an appointment with a doctor and find out if you can take it. Also, are you taking an anticoagulant? If not, there's another reason to see a doctor. You probably should be.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
How shortly after your ablation?by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
It really doesn't matter how many people reported it helped. It's still purely anecdotal. Also, as I've pointed out before, reducing calcium and vitamin D can have serious consequences, especially for post-menopausal women. And you don't need to taper Multaq. When you're ready, just stop taking it. There really aren't many drugs that require tapering and none ofby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteNotLyingAboutMyAfib Also - trying to look at root cause (excess D and calcium or any root cause) is "homeopathic nonsense" per him and everyone's experience here in reducing D is "only anecdotal". One person here has claimed that he and a family member have "cured" their AF with vitamin D and calcium manipulation. And that claim was based on days of suby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM