watchLAB is conducting a market research study by phone with Atrial Fibrillation patients throughout the US who have had both chemical (IV) and electrical cardioversions, preferably in the past 2 years. See below for the definitions they have supplied to help you determine if you are qualified to participate.
If you qualify, you will be invited to participate in a 45-minute phone interview to share your experiences. In exchange for your time and opinions, you will receive a cash honorarium of $75.
Your input will help a company with a new treatment to better serve afib patients like you.
For more information please call Tiffany Hays at (615) 403-0557, or e-mail her at [email protected]
Note: We are not compensated for posting this study.
Definitions:
- Cardioversion is a procedure that converts atrial fibrillation to a normal heart rhythm (normal sinus rhythm). Not all AF patients are immediately cardioverted. Some live in AF for periods of time before undergoing the procedure and some live permanently in AF.
- Electrical Cardioversion (may be referred to as Direct Current, or DC, cardioversion) requires sedation (put to sleep), after which an electrical shock is administered to shock your heart out of atrial fibrillation and into normal sinus rhythm.
- IV Drug Cardioversion (referred to as IV cardioversion) is where an intravenous drug is administered WITH THE INTENTION OF RESTORING YOUR HEART TO NORMAL SINUS RHYTHM. Cardioversion usually occurs within an hour, although monitoring may continue for a few more hours. Sedation is NOT required for this type of cardioversion.
I wasn’t actually chemically cardioverted but they did try it twice back in 6/2009. It did not work and a few days later I was successfully electrically cardioverted. I was electrically cardioverted again in 11/2010.
I had electrical cardio version 11 years ago it worked Im type I diabetic since a stroke just before then & Ive been aok day at atime since then
I had a maze (abelation?) procedure which didn’t work and they discovered when they did the angiogram that I had severe blockage and did a triple bypass at the same time. The mitrial valve I selected was metal, which seems to have complicated my life a bit more. I have tried all of the a-fib meds, none works – most make me worse. I am allergic to codeine and most herbs put me into a-fib, as does aspertamen (immediately and dramatically). I asked my doctor about a hybrid method I read about (5-box). She said she would talk to her surgeon in Phoenix — I live in Tucson. Instead, I got an email from her appointment person saying they had forwarded all of my material to Phoenix and they would be calling to set an appointment. I don’t want to go for a consultation and/or more tests unless I know I’m a candidate. I thought she understood that — her words were that I probably would not be candidate because of (the metal mitrial valuve and (2) being on Coumadin all the time, so I haven’t made the appointment and she is fed up with me (not too happy with her either, second time they moved without talking with me about it). Guess I just want to know, since they tell me I’m not a candidate for the new types of Coumadin because of the metal valve, if I would possibly be a candidate for the hybrid procedure. Anyone there know anything about this?
I just had a Electro Cardioversion this past Monday, April 11th. I was in full A-Fib for about 3 weeks. Originally about 2 years ago a doctor injected me with Interovenous Iodine which I’m deathly allergic to. I had the red band on and told him I would not make it through. The injections were for spinal arthritis. Well he decided it wouldn’t hurt me and he went ahead. I woke up in Flutter and was rushed from surga center into ER of the Hospital. They did 2 Electro Cardioversion one at 50 and one at 75. I changed doctors and insurances and went to a Cardiologist at Kaiser. Through medications I stayed out of A-Fib until about two months ago. This time I was shocked with 150 amps. It has worked so far and makes such a difference with breathing, shaking and tiredness. I’m so grateful but everything I read, it doesn’t work forever. I’ve been told the next step would be done. I don’t know withat the next step is, but I “love” my heart and want to continue to have it beat.
Judy,
I am so sorry. You have really been through a lot.
You can learn more about other options besides medications at our Get Started Learning About Afib guide: http://bit.ly/9auGY2
And feel free to join us on the Forum: http://forum.stopafib.org We’d love to have you there.
(Instructions for registering & getting started are here: http://forum.stopafib.org/index.php?showforum=25)
Mellanie
A-Fib has ruled my life for over 10 years now. So tired of all the drugs. Had a cardioversion on March 2, 2011. It worked for less than 24 hours. Now I am in constant A-Fib flutters. So tired of being tired.
Ellen,
Why don’t you join us at the discussion forum so perhaps we can help you.
StopAfib. Forum: http://forum.stopafib.org (Instructions for registering & getting started are here: http://forum.stopafib.org/index.php?showforum=25) Please post about your afib and we’ll try to help.
Mellanie
My husband has had four Atrial Fibrilation Ablation proceedures. Three in Utah and one at Mayo in Minnesota. The surgery at Mayo lasted the longest, about six months, but only while he was on ameoderone, which makes him feel miserable. He has been cardioverted at least a dozen times. Now his cardiologist in Boise is suggesting an av node ablation. This is very scary to him. We don’t know a lot about it. He is a young active 64 year old trying to run a ranch. We are confused and scared. Dr’s say that people are not usually symptomatic with afib, but I don’t believe it. My husband suffers terrible symptoms. Fatigue, light headedness, blurred vision, confusion, depression and just plain feels lousy.
Leslie,
I’m so sorry about the 4 failed ablations.
To say that folks usually aren’t symptomatic with afib is just plain wrong – we know that at least 2/3 (maybe more) are symptomatic. Many of us feel the way he does, with terrible symptoms and it’s terribly disruptive of our lives.
Since catheter ablations failed, the two options are surgery or AV node ablation. I think he is too young for AV node ablation – it’s usually the procedure of last resort, and only if no other procedures are possible.
Here’s where you can find out about surgery: How Can Afib Be Cured: http://stopafib.org/cured.cfm
You may want to come join the discussion at our forum to talk with others about this. The forum is at http://forum.stopafib.org
(Instructions for registering & getting started are here: http://forum.stopafib.org/index.php?showforum=25) We hope to see you there.
Mellanie
Dear Leslie,
I empathize and sympathize with the experience your husband is having. My situation is similar. About to have my 4th cardioversion cuz my heart doesn’t stay in sinus rhythym. Also, I as so ambivalent about amioderone. It’s supposed to be helping my heart, but, like your husband, I think it’s making me sick and very fatigued. The success of an ablation is doubtful. I DO not like thinking about LVAD. Please share with me your more current experience. I hope you’re feeling better! Thank you.
Nancy
i hada cardioversion in January (my fourth). Itlasted abhout two days. I was
on Sotolol and Coumadin. ………..since then I have had a lot of low pulse rates. My doctor wants me to have an ablation. The doctor he recommends is 4 1/2 hours away. I had a consult an hour away. This man does ablations. He said there is no hurry for the ablation. My doctor says I need it
and sooner better than later. A third cardiologist says I don’t need an ablation and certainly not now . He said my heart is good. And he is a colleague in the same clinic as my doctor. My doctor did not give me another appointment. I have been heart sick.
Beverly,
This is too complex for the blog – why don’t you join us on the StopAfib discussion forum and share your full story and ask your questions. We can find out where you’re located and perhaps help.
Forum: http://forum.stopafib.org (Instructions for registering & getting started are here: http://forum.stopafib.org/index.php?showforum=25)
Mellanie
My sister and I have both had multiple episodes of a-fib. What I noticed with my sister was that she would not convert to normal sinus, no matter what drugs they gave her, until they gave her IV magnesium. I convinced her to eat lots of high-magnesium food every day (her stomach won’t tolerate magnesium supplements), and she went from having episodes that required hospital cardioversion more and more frequently (peaking at more than once a month) to not having to go to the hospital in the past year.
I have to get lots of magnesium, be VERY careful about caffeine, and get enough sleep. I’m also overweight enough that lying on my left side sets off irregular heartbeats and has triggered full blown a-fib, so I’ve sworn off lying on my left side until I loose 50 or 60 pounds.
Kay,
Thanks for sharing your experience and that of your sister.
Mellanie
i have had achemical cardioversion and 3 external cardioversions from the chemical one i was in sinus rhythm for 2 years [bad reaction to ameoderone] then external cardioversion lasted 15 months next external csrdioversion lasted 12 days next cardioverion lasted only till i was in the recovery room