Submit Manuscript    >>    Login | Register

Meet the Expert Doctor

Enter your question here:

Browse Questions Answered by Our Experts (OR)
 <<  <  ... 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 ...  >  >>
Answer:
increasingly we are becoming aware that highly trained individuals may be more prone to af. if you are troubled by your episodes then there is a reason to have something done about it – an many athletes favour having an ablation procedure. if you have minimal symptoms, then continued contact with your cardiologist and looking for any progression of changes in your heart is all that would be recommended.
Answer:
most people with af also have atrial ectopy (extra-beats) and also atrial tachycardia (organized rhythm). this spectrum of arrhythmias are all inter_related and if you have af usually come from th epulmonary veins. much rarer for them to arise from other sites. it is unlikley that af would be consistently induced from ventricular rhythms.
you should have an echocardiogram and be reviewed by a cardiologist to exclude valvular heart disease (and also other structural changes to the heart).
Answer:
this can be a rebound effect and it is also a little early after ablation to be sure if it is of any significance. it would be best to contact your ep and arrange to have an ecg and discuss.
Answer:
That is just one of the ways to do a minimally invasive cardiac operation for atrial fibrillation.
Answer:
At her age, your grandmother may also have aortic atheromas and or carotid disease in addition to atrial fibrillation. If atrial fibrillation is strongly suspected to be the underlying culprit, then, I would suggest a thoracoscopic left atrial appendage ligation rather than appendage occlusion by an endocavitary occlusion device. Please note that a left atrial appendage thrombus should be excluded before considering any closed heart manipulation or endocavitary manipulation.
I would stop the coumadin
Answer:
I would nearly always ligate the appendage to reduce the risk of stroke over time.
Answer:
I am not aware of atrial fibrillation as a result of fluctuating hormones in the menopausal context and based on what you have written, I would not expect the fibrillation to go away. Unfortunately, atrial fibrillation is frequently progressive with age.

The AF will not influence these hormone levels. Consider medical treatment for the AF.
Answer:
Based on the available evidence today, rate control with Coumadin works as well as rhythm control with anti-arrhythmic drugs. For the first or initial episodes of AF, we would advise an attempt at restoring normal sinus rhythm, because you may not have recurrence for a long time. In case of recurring atrial fibrillation, if you are symptomatic, then catheter ablation is likely to be the most effective treatment for you. In the presence of asymptomatic AF, the advantage of catheter ablation is less clear. I do not believe cardioversions can make you symptomatic if you are completely asymptomatic now. Cardioversions may be associated with clots passing into the circulation but this complication is effectively minimised with appropriate Coumadin treatment. Rate control with anti-coagulation is an effective strategy, well-suited to the asymptomatic patient but it does not completely eliminate the risk of embolic events. However, in view of your age, and presumably the absence of other risk factors, you would be considered at low risk for an embolic event. Atrial fibrillation is frequently progressive and the success rates of catheter ablation decline in the setting of persistent-long standing atrial fibrillation and/or left atrial enlargement. Based on what you have written, I would attempt to restore and maintain sinus rhythm with drugs initially (and Coumadin). In case of recurrence, the choice could be between rate control and catheter ablation. In the absence of symptoms, one option for you could be to delay catheter ablation till the onset of atrial fibrillation progression or left atrial enlargement.

If you are asymptomatic, do not have an ablation. If you are symptomatic, try meds first, then ablation if they fail.
No.of Questions Asked: 1141
No.of Questions Answered: 1096
Biosense Webster
event date
Disclaimer

1. JAFIB and the invited expert reserve the right to decline any question. The question declined will not appear in the list of questions asked.

2. The questions or advice from the expert can not be considered as alternatives to your clinician's advice. This discussion is only for educational/informational use. Your EP doctor is THE person to advice you on treatment and management of your condition.

Feedback : Your suggestion on this new initiative are much appreciated. Please write to the managing editor(editor@jafib.com) about your feedback on "Meet the Expert".

Ablation Specialist

View Ablation Specialists