A friend of mind is taking eliquis twice per day, standard dosage. He had a minor stroke about 1.5 yrs ago and is about 70 years old. He has been on eliquis 1.5 years now and is experiencing hematuria (blood in the urine) with eliquis. It seems to build up over time. When this happens he lessens or stops his dosage for a bit of time until the blood goes away. Then he resumes later. (Obviously thiby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
So it's been about 4 months since my Natale ablation. I just got the zio report back and it was A-OK! In fact I had 0% burden. So, it appears I'll be able to now get off eliquis. I'm so happy about that. Do they usually allow you to get off "cold-turkey" or is there usually some type of weaning off dosage? Thanks to this group for your continued support and encouragemby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just a quick question.... I hit my 3 month mark so Dr Natale's office sent me the zio patch for 7 days. I put on the patch Tuesday at 1pm. I have heeded all instructions. Unfortunately it seems that the part round the main center part is slowly becoming unstuck. I don't know if it'll last through the weekend but I'll certainly do my best. Any suggestions? If it does happenby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great point. I was sweating so much and never drank anything. So I bet I was just dehydrated.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
It's been almost 3 full months since my first Natale ablation. First off, I'm fairly out of shape and need to start getting more exercise. That said.... today I was doing some pretty strenuous yard work for like 45 minutes in the sun, around 10am or so. When I came in I immediately used my Kardia to take an ECG. Here were some readings.... 143 bpm - Unclassified (no afib) 127 bpby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
So, if your RR interval is regular is that the primary gauge on how good you're doing during the blanking period? Or, is having 2 perfect humps in between just as important? Or, in a normal rhythm is having some variation "in between" common? Just a curiosity.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would buy one. They like weekly readings after your ablation.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks to both of you! Very insightful posts. I have a Kardia 6L, but it can do either 1 or 6 lead readings. Yeah sometimes it jumps all over the place (especially the "stuff in between", seemingly randomly. It seems sensitive. But, then I'll read it again and it's fine. I think this even happens with regular EKG machines.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yep, Carey is a Rock Star as well! Kudos!!!by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
When looking at an EKG, for example taken from a Kardia device, is the most important thing consistency with the intervals between the tallest peaks? (I think it's called the "RR interval".) Or does the consistency with the "stuff" in between carry alot of weight? With Kardia, It seems that, generally, if the RR intervals are consistent then the EKG is considered &quoby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon! Excellent and thorough explanation, as always! I think if anything ever happens to Dr Natale you should start performing ablations. I think you know more than most EPs!by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
I didn't need to say anything. I fully trusted that Natale would only do exactly what needed to be done. I'm so happy I went to him, especially because I ended up having some non-PV triggers.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
To update everyone: I just got an informative call from Shannon D. He spoke with Dr N and confirmed that CS isolation does not require a TEE. I guess there was just some misunderstanding. He said he'll post the details here later. A hug shout out to Shannon D too! He is so awesome!by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great info. Thanks. I hope this means at after six months I’ll be able to stop the eliquis.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Indications are that I will be on eliquis for 6 months, not the rest of my life. If it was the later I would've hope that they would've warned me of this possibility before I got the ablation.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
To give you the full context of the message... Quotethe protocol for coronary sinus isolation is the same as the LAA isolation because isolation of the coronary sinus can affect the function of the LAA. Because the coronary sinus was isolated (fully ablated) you will need to stay on the Eliquis for at least 6 months and have a TEE following your 7-day monitor, if no additional arrhythmias occuby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Well they responded: "the protocol for coronary sinus isolation is the same as the LAA isolation because isolation of the coronary sinus can affect the function of the LAA." So it appears I need a TEE. I didn't know this. Bummer!by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks. Carey, my primary nurse educator responded: QuoteWe will send out a 7 day monitor at the 6 month mark to eval for arrhythmias. If clear and no further treatment is indicated (like a TEE or an additional procedure is sometimes) you are often told after then by the provider that it is okay to discontinue the Eliquis. You did not have treatment to your Atrial appendage which is ofteby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
That's what I thought! She wrote, "During your ablation Dr. Natale isolated/ablated an area of the heart called the coronary sinus that can decrease the function/squeeze of the left atrial appendage, which puts you at higher risk for blood clots during this time even if you are in sinus rhythm."by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
When I left Austin in March, after my ablation, I was under the impression that I would only have to be on eliquis for about 3 months and that I probably would not have to return if everything is ok. Today I received an email from one of Natale's "Nurse Navigator." (In response to a question I emailed asking to confirm how long I would be on eliquis). She mentioned that I would havby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ok thanks Carey. I appreciate it. Hopefully it's just allergies.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks. To be extra safe I've been in self quarantine for over a month. No other symptoms. I was concerned that they might've caused some esophagus or throat irritation during the procedure. The anesthesiologist did knick me bad under my tongue and bruised the back of my throat during the process. So, I didn't know what else she did as well.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks. I can recall but I think it was within a week or so.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shortly after my ablation I noticed that I had a pretty regular dry cough. (No other symptoms.) Is it possible that this is due to my ablation in any way, such as throat or esophagus irritation, etc...? Or maybe there's chance it's allergy related, although I never had this before! It's been over a month. Any thoughts? Thanks!by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesusan.d I had my Natale ablation about 1 month ago and I've been feeling awesome overall! So happy I saw him. I’m happy for you!Thanks! This forum was like a real support group for me. So thanks to you all!!!by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my Natale ablation about 1 month ago and I've been feeling awesome overall! So happy I saw him.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
My dad has been in persistent afib for a few months non-stop. About a year ago he had a ischemic stroke so they put him on eliquis. He feels that the eliquis might be aggravating his afib. When he stops it, even for a day, he thinks he might feel a bit better. (I know it's not wise to start/stop the eliquis.) Has anyone heard of eliquis aggravating or causing afib as a possible side effect?by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks! I'm pretty sure it's related to the ablation. But, I'm self quarantining to be extra safe.by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM