Any knowledge about A FIB??!

Any knowledge about A FIB??

I have had A FIB on and off since 1998, had a Defibrillator for 6 years but it was removed after I had tha Maze procedure in 05, then in 07 back in A FIB, had an ablation in Mar 07 but now back in A FIB again, Would love any thoughts, helpful information, thank you in advance.

1 week ago
I had a medtronic Defibrillator for A FIB only, I am 38 6'1 205#, non smoker very rarel consume alcohol, exercise daily, work nights which isnt good for my heart and drive a truck. I have never had a HEart attack or anything to that matter, my heart in afib beats to slow,

1 week ago
I cant get in to my Dr till 2 weeks, glad I am not dying, I cant breathe very good, chest pains and back pains but I will wait 2 weeks i suppose. Thank you for all the answers.

I guess I am wondering why so much has been done to try to keep you in a sinus rhythm? Has there been a problem keeping your rate controlled? Is there more to the picture than you have shared? The defibrillator was implanted for other reasons, for instance - perhaps congestive heart failure after having an MI?

Studies show us that for those with afib, as long as the rate is controlled, patients do equally well whether in afib or in sinus rhythm - as long as you are on anti-coagulation therapy. Further it is very common that afib becomes harder and harder to control over time.

The only reason you would elect to ablate the electrical tract from the right atria and rely on an exogenous pacemaker is if the rate really was otherwise impossible to reasonably control. For instance, no medication equals a rate too fast (over 100 bpm) adding medication equals a rate too slow (less than 40, with symptoms).

If you have not been evaluated in terms of sleep apnea, you probably should be. While having the diagnosis and being treated does not "cure" afib, untreated apnea certainly can contribute in exacerbating the problem. There is a high correlation of afib and sleep apnea.

I disagree that your cardiology team needs to be changed. Your rate simply needs to be controlled, take your coumadin, and you should be fine. The coumadin is a pain to maintain but - and given your options - necessary.

Good luck.

Addendum: You are a truck driver...I see. It is very rare to have an indwelling defibrillator for afib. The fact you are a truck driver might be the reason - for safety reasons. If the rules state that you must be in a regular rhythm in order to have a CDL, then you may need to resort to a total ablation and then be dependent on a pacemaker. Discuss it with an electrophysiologist (cardiology, specialist).

Look into that sleep study too. High correlation of truck drivers and sleep apnea too!