QuoteBrian_og that gives you a 1.7% risk of stroke To be clear, that gives her a 1.7% annual risk of stroke, which doesn't sound so bad, but people need to understand that annual risks are cumulative. A 1.7% annual risk translates to a 15.7% risk of stroke over 10 years, or 29% over 20 years. It's a non-trivial level of risk.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I agree with Jackie about visiting your endocrinologist. Thyroid issues are a common source of afib.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
What you describe sounds like a perfectly normal blanking period. Bumps in the road are to be expected. The fact that all those PACs didn't turn into afib is the positive sign you're looking for. The ablation is doing it's job.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie Thanks Carey - Once you mentioned the nitinol, I did a search on the percentages of nickel and learned that in some, there are concerns about reactivity for some patients if they have nickel sensitivity... they also talked about that concern in stenting. It's good to know reactivity is not common or a serious concern. There's an interesting discussion about those concby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteMissSunshine Carey, I am assuming that you has your LAA ablated. When did that happen? Did it take care of all of your arrhythmias? Yes, in August 2017 by Dr. Natale. I've been 100% in NSR since. A Holter monitor for 8 days last March showed absolutely nothing, not even a stray PAC or PVC. That comes after 5 previous failed ablations over the course of 7 years that left me with multiby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotekarin 2. I had a heart monitor for a month in August which indicated Atrial Tachycardia but I don't know how often or under what circumstances or if I was in sinus. I expect it was always during 2-3 hour tennis matches in the heat when I did wonder about tachycardia myself--not flutter because about 140 beats/minute A rate of 140 doesn't rule out flutter at all. In fact, thatby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quoteln108 If I may piggyback on these questions, especially Jackie's second question, I was wondering if there were any concerns about the "for life" presence of the Watchman device, in terms of the metals, fabric: i.e., any potential toxicity? Thanks, Carey, for tutoring us all on this. I'm scheduled for a Watchman FLX implant this coming Thursday, at Scripps Memorial, Lby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie Carey - have there been reports of the FLX breaking free? I would presume this would or could occur during the early stages and before the device is totally endothelized ?? Another question - have you seen data on what the materials are composed of? The reference you gave indicated metal screws and polyester fabric. Have you seen comments regarding tissue irritation oby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotemwcf How serious is it and what intervention is required if the device breaks free? How common of an occurrence is the device (old and new) breaking free? That's pretty serious because it has to be retrieved if that happens. It can usually be retrieved with a catheter, but if it goes somewhere a catheter can't get to it surgery would be required. Worst case would be it gets caughby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quoteron Carey, the one thing you didn't answer is if there is any difference in stroke protection between the FLX and original Watchman once they are in place and healed ? No, I don't think there's much difference once they're in place and healed over. The differences are more in ease of placement, stability once placed, and resistance to device related clots forming in theby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesmackman Yes; my LAA was isolated on 2nd Ablation. Then you should consider one. I doubt your insurance company will pay for it now if you can tolerate anticoagulants, but I think that will change in the next few years.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quoteron Carey. Is there any benefit with the FLX over the Watchman once the atria grows over it in regards to stroke prevention ? Is the main advantage with the FLX being easier to install and remain in place better during healing ? There are several advantages to the FLX over the original Watchman. Probably the biggest is it can be repositioned by the EP implanting it. My procedure report notby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesmackman Carey, What happens if you go into AFIB with the Watchman installed? Nothing at all. Once a Watchman has been in place about six weeks, your heart endothelializes over it, meaning the same tissue that lines the inner surface of your atria grows over it. Once that happens it would be impossible for it to move or be dislodged. It's there for life. In the weeks prior to that, iby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth What happens to the blood and any clots that form behind the Watchman device. They just sit there and eventually get absorbed by the body. They can't escape, so they're harmless.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters Expertise yes, but simply quantity no. In fact, after establishing high level of expertise, I would prefer an EP that is not overloaded with daily procedures. In the EP world, quantity and quality go hand in hand. You literally can't have quality without quantity. Aside from the technical proficiency that comes with doing a lot of procedures, there's also the simple faby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sit tight, don't do anything, and don't be disheartened. It's always a bumpy road.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteMissSunshine Carey and AB Page - what was your determining factor in going for the Watchman? Could you no longer tolerate ACs? How have you been feeling? Did you deal with Pericarditis? Did your EP ablate before he installed the watchman? Thank you for your insight. You have no idea how grateful I am for all of you. I tolerate anticoagulants just fine. No pericarditis or anything likeby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters While level of experience is important, I tend to place more importance on recommendations from former patients and those that know his/her work. Quality rules quantity. Looking at quantity numbers can lead you to ambitious, ego maniacal celebrity doctors...not really a great thing, unless you like being a number. With doctors who do invasive procedures such as surgeons and intervby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJakeL For another doctor that I have seen recommended on this site, I will show the numbers for Doctor Luigi Di Biase. Note that we have been spelling the doctor's name incorrectly on our website, there is a space between Di and Biase. Also note that his specialty is Cardiology and not Cardiac Electrophysiology. Below are the The Number Performed for each code is shown below in 2015by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteMissSunshine I just heard back from my Afib nurse that my EP is recommending ablating my atrial appendage due to continued arrhythmia after my second ablation and installing a watchman. This is just not what I had in my mind. I am a 55 year old, very active female. I think I am too young for this. Will it decrease my cardiac output and my way of life? Is there any long-term cautions abouby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just call TCAI and tell them what you want. There's a web form you can fill out, but I would recommend calling instead. Contact info can be found here.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters Hair standing on end...OMG "If you suddenly stop taking hydrocodone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, teary eyes, runny nose, yawning, sweating, chills, hair standing on end, muscle pain, widened pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes), irritability, anxiety, back or joint pain, weakness, stomach cramps, difficulty falling asleep or stayiby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
No, your ablation can't be called a failure. First, you're barely out of the "official" blanking period. But but it's not like the "official" 12 weeks is some precise, scientifically rigorous number. There's more than enough individual variation to make 15 weeks still within "your" blanking period. Second, it resolved quickly and on its own. Yby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I never went to an ER unless my rate was over 200 (unfortunately that was quite common for me at one time). I've been to Italy and Germany, and probably a dozen domestic trips while I had afib. I tried to live with afib and never let it own me. If an episode happened, it happened. It might make for a crappy day but I was never disabled by my afib. Obviously, if it's disabling for you thby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Alnost certainly a hematoma, and it's probably pressing against the femoral nerve, which is what causes the pain. That happened to me after my first ablation. Nothing to be done about it but wait it out. It will heal, but it might take weeks. I was in enough pain from it that my EP gave me hydrocodone for 10 days.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotejpeters Okay, but who's taking Amiodarone? A surpising number of people who shouldn't be.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
What wolfpack said. In spades.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotedocboss but the issue of possible syncope is unnerving. Keep in mind that was an experience unique to me. I've never heard anyone else report it, so assume it won't affect you until it actually does. If you and your EP think Tikosyn might be the right choice, I'd give it a try. It does have advantages for athletes because it doesn't have rate limiting or BP lowering effby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteSocalsteve How are you doing with this drug? Supposedly it is one of the best drugs for athletes. I am a member of a cycling forum and we have a member who is an endurance athlete and a EP doc. He recommended this drug. But everyone reacts differently. Interesting. I guess I'm one who reacts differently. I was on Tikosyn last year and had to quit riding my bike because of it. It woulby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Welcome to the forum. Sorry you found the need to join us, but here you are. You can stop being freaked out now. :-) I'll go with SocalSteve's advice but I would add two things: 1) Don't just go find the local electrophysiologist (EP) and sign up for an ablation. You need someone who's done at least many hundreds -- preferably thousands -- of ablations. Do not just go wiby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM