I've had neither procedure as of yet, but my understanding is that the mini-maze is a more involved procedure, requiring longer recovery times and possibly increased risk for surgical complications. Having said that, pro mini-maze folks tout the 96% success rate and that removing or clipping the LAA is superior to the watchman option. There appears to be a subgroup of folks who developby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes I read the abstract, but for the Full Article you need to pay. Unless I missed it, the abstract did not spell out the burden of AF and their results. That's why I asked "I'm curious if these results are irrespective of someone who had AF at some point but remains in NSR (through whatever means such as lifestyle, meds, ablation, etc.) as well as someone who is in AF fairlyby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
I don't have access to the full file, just the summary. I'm curious if these results are irrespective of someone who had AF at some point but remains in NSR (through whatever means such as lifestyle, meds, ablation, etc.) as well as someone who is in AF fairly regularly but has good rate control. Thanksby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey It's individual. I dealt with flutter for years, so a couple more things to know: 1. Unlike afib, it's a very regular rhythm, and therefore a stable rhythm that can continue almost indefinitely. 2. It's very difficult to terminate with drugs. It rarely responds to things like a flecainide PIP like afib can, and often has to be cardioverted to terminate. So a PIP solby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey It showed moderate fibrosis in the left atrium, which is probably better than expected considering I'd been experiencing afib since 2002. Yes, I'm doing well now and have been since 2017, but I sure wasn't in 2014. Honestly, I'm not sure what value that MRI actually had. It didn't alter treatment, change the diagnosis, or even confirm the diagnosis since thby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteGeorgeN Before I reduced my on-demand flec dose from 300 mg to 200 mg, I could get some conversions to flutter (which is a very stable rhythm) that I'd then have to convert back to afib (without more meds) to then convert to NSR. George are you saying you now only take 200mg bolus dose flec instead of 300mg? When previously taking the 300mg dose and converting to flutter, how exaby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
An analogy only an AFibber would get haha...Thanks for the great work as usual.by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
It appears the main point is to donate blood to keep blood thickness (viscosity) down and keep Hematocrit and Hemoglobin numbers from getting too high. Purely by accident, I'm adhering to this protocol because it was found over the last year during a cardiac workup that I have genetic Hemochromatosis. I have the lower (less concerning) variant H63D, which shows my iron as normal but my ferby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting and I just came across information the other day that Berberine can be used in place of Metaformin for those with sugar/diabetes concerns and it has less side effects.by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotegloaming As for PTSD, and I don't doubt you have suffered as a result of this single episode, if it is severely instrusive and leaves you anxious much of the time, you should avail yourself of professional help. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has a pretty good track record dealing with intrusive thoughts, although I am not a clinician and don't keep up. A licensed clinical pby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotegloaming True enough, Carey, however the person to whom I responded mentioned a prolonged AF with some speed. That's danger territory because of what we've been discussing. A person who is well controlled is not likely to have rapid AF for 8 days...? If that was the end of it, drugs or no, then it's a different story. But if our sufferer is repeatedly dealing with similarby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesusan.d Ken- I think how rapid the ventricular is beating and symptoms determines if one should wait it out or go to the ER. Last weekend I had a killer 29.5 hour flutter and was unable to get to any hospital since I’m abroad on vacation. No ride. I had to wait it out. I’m told heart failure takes a week or so in tachycardia. I don’t know if an accumulation of events and burden can weaken thby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
“I talked to cardiologists and electrophysiologists from all over the country,” Watt said Unlike the average person who doesn't even know what's going on during their 1st AFib event let alone talk to Cardiologists and EPs from all over the country within the span of a day or two.by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
In my case, I had a "Chest" CT Angiogram with Contrast about a year ago. It focused very thoroughly on the lungs and respiratory system. There wasn't a ton of cardiac information but did show the heart silhouette. I've also had a CT Angiogram Coronary Arteries with Contrast last May to look at blockages (as there's a familial history). This test focused very heaviby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
My conversion to NSR after an 8 day out of control AFib event took approximately 24 hours on Amiodarone. I was on a pretty light dosage too as sometimes they will jack up the loading dose. Everyone is different as the doctor told me he has patients who need the electric cardioversion as the straight Amio won't convert them after a few weeks.by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
In my case, my AFib was paroxysmal for many years (5+) with a frequency of only a couple times per year self-resolving within 24-48 hours. In 2020 and 2021 my frequencies increased to probably every month or two. My events were always middle of the night and after a few drinks prior. In May of 2021, I had an event that would not revert on its own and ended up in the hospital after 8 days. Iby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would be a little concerned about the label of Holiday Heart. That, frankly, is what I thought I was dealing with for several years with a frequency of only a few times per year, which would resolve on its own within 24 -48 hours. My events were "always" after having a few drinks the night before and I'd notice my HR abnormality at the gym the next day. In May of 2021 I had anby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Congrats Smackman and hope continued success for you. The anxiety you mention can be very real with this journey!by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Nice update Tom. Keep at it.... Bobby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
There's a recent update... Reads like he knew about his AFib condition and apparently Cardiomyopathy since 2017. He chose to stop taking his anticoagulant and not follow Doctor's advice given his heart condition with the exception of eating better and losing weight.by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm not sure if Fetterman, 52, knew he had AFib (prior to the event) or not and whether he was anticoagulated or not...FYI in any event! "I had a stroke that was caused by a clot from my heart being in an A-fib rhythm for too long," he said. "The amazing doctors here were able to quickly and completely remove the clot, reversing the stroke, they got my heart under control aby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am far from an expert on this subject matter, but the past research I've done shows different groups for Pulmonary Hypertension: 1) PAH - Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - This group is more idiopathic as the cause or sometimes genetic or drug induced. There are drugs that can help folks in this group. 2) Group 2 - PH due to left sided heart disease. This is the most common reason foby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey And that's the thing. People with afib are known to suffer strokes at a higher rate than the general population even if they've been in NSR for months or even years. Interesting and scary because a lot of folks probably think that if they are in NSR and the blood's not pooling in the LAA, then the "AFib" related stroke risk is eliminated. QuoteCarey Bby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
From the Black Box warning... "An increased rate of stroke was observed following discontinuation of Eliquis in clinical trials in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation." Is this implying active/current AFib and not extended NSR in people who previously had AFib episodes? Agree with Carey that Chads score plus long term NSR should be considered.by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just turned 59. Thanks for the info. It does appear compliance can be a factor over the long term (forgot to take pill, ran out of meds, travelling, etc.).by BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
I appreciate the views on this. Beyond taking the risk so to speak or not noticing if you're in AFib (stroke risk), is there any issue with stopping and starting Eliquis from an efficacy or medical standpoint? Some meds you can start and stop however you please. I'm trying to find out if Eliquis is OK to do that with. Thanksby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi guys, I wonder what the opinions are of taking Eliquis on an as needed basis. I'm closely monitoring my heartrate and AFib with oximeter and Kardia. I have not experienced AFib since last July and am not on an AAD since last August. I started using CPAP last Sep and believe that is keeping me in NSR during the night (I only ever went into AFib middle of the night). I do get PVCby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hope you continue to do well Tom! Bobby BobsBeat - AFIBBERS FORUM