Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) I'm new to this forum, and fairly new to A-Fib. The forum already has been very helpful in understanding my heart problem and options. I'm 73 yo, in generally good health and have been very active up until recently when I started to experience A-Fib. Past history of a heart attack in 2007, with a stint placed in LAD artery of the heart. A second heart attack in 2015, but no stints placed. Currently I am in A-Fib all the time. I feel very weak all the time, and very little exertion quickly wears me out. I'm not used to being so sedentary. With the onset of A-Fib my Cardiologist referred me to an Electrophysiologist. This EP does not do invasive treatment like Ablations. He is recommending that I be admitted in the local hospital for 3 days, and get me started on Tikosyn. I am scheduled for admission on Oct. 23. I really hope this converts me and I stay out of A-Fib long term. My question for the forum is are my expectations for a cure reasonable? What issues might I be looing at experiencing on Tikosyn? If it fails what would be my next option of treatment? Thanks to you all that participate in this helpful forum. Hank Pfister https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197395#msg-197395 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:44:03 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,198956#msg-198956 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,198956#msg-198956
I did my homework and decided on a Cox-Maze IV. Two months post-op I am recovering with just a few occurrences of flutter. Still on dofetilide and Eliquis but expecting to eliminate them soon. I am back on my bike and riding an hour each day.

My personal case, speaking with multiple EP's (including Dr. Natale), led me to the Maze. Fortunately, I was able to have treatment locally at BJC in St. Louis.]]> docboss AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:57:45 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197843#msg-197843 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197843#msg-197843
My EP wanted to go to Amiodarone next, but he also though an ablation would be a good option. (he does not do ablations) I did a little searching on my options for the ablation and decided to try for the bigger hospital at UVA in Charlotteville VA. My EP sent a referral to UVA and I am now waiting for the scheduling dept. to contact me.

Hank Pfister]]> Pfestus1 AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 08 Nov 2024 15:39:57 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197457#msg-197457 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197457#msg-197457 Sotalol and Multaq were not effective in keeping me in sinus. I started Tikosyn about 18 months ago.and it has been very effective. No episodes of afib or flutter and I have tolerated it very well.
Hopefully it continues to work…]]> triplea AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 11 Oct 2024 01:36:16 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197416#msg-197416 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197416#msg-197416
Quote
Pfestus1
I tire very quickly if I am up trying to do something. I don't have energy to go to gym, or walk very far.

I guess some of my symptoms could be side effects of Eliquis, not sure.

A possible side effect from Eliquis is anemia. If there is anemia, it can cause lack of energy, so might be worthwhile to make sure this is not an issue with you. If there is anemia, then excluding internal bleeding as a cause would also be something to follow up on.]]> GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 07 Oct 2024 20:33:55 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197415#msg-197415 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197415#msg-197415 Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 07 Oct 2024 18:47:07 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197414#msg-197414 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197414#msg-197414
I'd say most definitely that my A-fib affects my quality of life in a negative way. I tire very quickly if I am up trying to do something. I don't have energy to go to gym, or walk very far. Lack of appetite causing weight loss ( down to 175 lbs from 200+ last year) , slight dizziness when I stand from lying down. My vital signs are pretty much in normal ranges. BP 121/81, pulse 98 this morning, with my Kardia showing "Possible A-fib"

I guess some of my symptoms could be side effects of Eliquis, not sure.

Thanks for your reply.

Hank Pfister]]> Pfestus1 AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:42:23 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197410#msg-197410 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197410#msg-197410 Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:08:33 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197409#msg-197409 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197409#msg-197409
I do not know if my EP is a good one or not. I chose him based on the fact that he could see me quickly rather than wait 2 months for another PE (one who does do Ablations). I don't know why my EP does not do Ablations. I felt desperate to get some kind of treatment going as I did not like how I am feeling these days. I am in A-fib ALL the time.

My ventricular rate is usually below 100. My pulse always irregular. My Kardia app always says "Possible Atrial Fib". I am always weak, prone to dizziness, have very little appetite, I only feel good lying down.

I am willing to try the Tikosyn and then consider Ablation if the Tikosyn doesn't work as it should.

Thanks for your response.

Attached is a screen shot of my Kardia.]]> Pfestus1 AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 06 Oct 2024 20:56:14 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197397#msg-197397 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197397#msg-197397
I agree with Gloaming that keeping your heart rate down while in AFIB is very important. The higher the rate over what your normal HR while in NSR will cause proportionally more symptoms. Your HR should fluctuate while in AFIB, do you know what range it has been beating at? Do you have an EKG reading of your HR while in AFIB? or a reading using a hand-held device?]]> The Anti-Fib AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 04 Oct 2024 08:23:52 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197396#msg-197396 Re: Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197396#msg-197396
Secondly, there IS NO cure for AF. You can control or manage it, or you can block or forestall it. Except for about one person in 20, those who have a firm diagnosis of AF must be controlled by anti-arrhythmic drugs or by mechanical means such as ablation or a pacemaker...which still requires an ablation.

An ablation will create scar tissue around any foci in your atrial endothelium, or in the left atrial appendage, or in the coronary sinus, or in the pulmonary vein antrum, or in the septum. Even the Vein of Marshall can be a source of re-entrant for the extra and unwanted electrical impulse that causes ectopy. The scar tissue created during an ablation causes scarring that blocks the passage of the extra signals behind or within its confines. No extra signals, no extra beats. You'll still have an electrically disordered heart, but it can't react to the extra signals in the left atrium because they can no longer escape the stockade of scar tissue the ablation procedure generates. That's it! My choice was to live with the typical progression of AF to require more of the drugs, or switch to different, more potent, more toxic, ones over time........................or be ablated. Guess which I chose. No, really, go ahead.......

Note that your EP may be on to something that I'm not privy to, and for which you appear to have little understanding or little appetite. Perhaps tikosyn will do the trick....for now. If that reduces your symptoms, including any sleep loss, anxiety, problems with activity or balance or eyesight, or even just the thumping and bumping inside your chest wall when you have the AF and any PACs going on, then for now at least, you might be okay. It's a personal choice. But if your EP is averse to ablations, I would welcome an explanation, including a risk assessment of your morbidity over time if any drug quickly loses its potency and you are truly in permanent AF.]]> gloaming AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 04 Oct 2024 03:42:09 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197395#msg-197395 Treating A-fib with Tikosyn (Dofetilide) https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,197395,197395#msg-197395
I'm 73 yo, in generally good health and have been very active up until recently when I started to experience A-Fib. Past history of a heart attack in 2007, with a stint placed in LAD artery of the heart. A second heart attack in 2015, but no stints placed.

Currently I am in A-Fib all the time. I feel very weak all the time, and very little exertion quickly wears me out. I'm not used to being so sedentary.

With the onset of A-Fib my Cardiologist referred me to an Electrophysiologist. This EP does not do invasive treatment like Ablations. He is recommending that I be admitted in the local hospital for 3 days, and get me started on Tikosyn. I am scheduled for admission on Oct. 23. I really hope this converts me and I stay out of A-Fib long term.

My question for the forum is are my expectations for a cure reasonable? What issues might I be looing at experiencing on Tikosyn? If it fails what would be my next option of treatment?

Thanks to you all that participate in this helpful forum.

Hank Pfister]]> Pfestus1 AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:32:03 +0000