What you are experiencing is fairly typical. I do not understand the association between atrial fibrillation and swallowing, but many patients experience this. I do not think that blood clots in the lungs are a likely explanation for what you are experiencing (and may well have been an incidental finding in your friend)
It is very frustrating to go through multiple catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation. That being said, even in your situation, repeat catheter ablation (by an electrophysiologist who is willing to go the distance with you) is the best therapy that we have to offer. Some would say that surgical ablation is the option of choice after failed catheter ablations – at some point that may be reasonable, but I would suggest that you find as skilled an electrophysiologist with as much experience as possible
What most people refer to as a MAZE procedure is extensive “cut and sew” surgery (i.e. with atrial incisions) performed through a median sternotomy (through the breastbone). So called “key hole” or minimally invasive surgery use smaller, multiple lateral incisions. The exposure to the atrium is much less, and rather than atrial incisions, ablation tools are introduced to deliver energy to the outside of the atrium. Most surgeons would probably say that MAZE procedures are more effective, but harder to perform and more likely to cause morbidity
Many patients note a relationship between digestive processes and atrial fibrillation. I do not think that fixing your hiatal hernia will have any affect on atrial fibrillation. The real link is the autonomic nervous system – this system moderates all of the internal processes that we are not conscious of. Atrial fibrillation most commonly starts during vagal (rest and relax side of the autonomic system) periods (like after eating and during sleep). Often digestive symptoms also increase vagal tone.
Arrhythmias can occur in the first weeks to months after AF ablation. We think that they are due to irritation from the procedure. You should discuss this with your doctor, as adjustments in medications may help you feel better during this recovery period.
In general, we like to have stress test information before starting patients, even asymptomatic ones, on flecainide. I agree that thyroid function tests are an essential part of the evaluation of all patients with AF. In addition, many physicians would not start flecainide or Metoprolol for a first episode.
Atrial fibrillation is a disorganized arrhythmia in the atria, which causes some increased risk of stroke, depending on the other circumstances of the patient. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is a category of three different types of organized arrhythmia, none of which increases the risk of stroke.
Dr. Andrea Natale
Dr. Andrea Natale is a board certified electrophysiology expert and practices at executive medical director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Dr. Natale also is the Senior Medical Director at Pacific Atrial Fib and Arrhythmia Center in San Francisco. He visits MetroHealth in Cleveland, and Akron General, Ohio. He has pioneered a new circumferential ultrasound vein-ablation system to correct atrial fibrillation and performed the procedure on the world's first five patients. For further details Please visit :Link
Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy
Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, F.A.C.C, FHRS. is a board certified electrophysiology expert and practices at Mid-America Cardiology and The University of Kansas Hospital Clinics in Kansas City, KS, USA. He has several distinctions in clinical and research career to his credit and serves as an associate editor for Journal of Atrial Fibrillation.For further details Please visit :Link
Dr. Dhanunjay Lakkireddy, MD, F.A.C.C, FHRS, The Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute (KCHRI), KS, USA.
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