Have Afib?

AF stroke protection

by Gemita - 2024-03-26 03:45:35

Daedalus, thank you for the video reminder of the risks of having AF, although I am aware of the “turbulence” of my blood flow when I am in AF and why AF can be so dangerous and cause strokes.  I am extremely symptomatic during AF but the danger with AF  is that some of us are clearly not aware or symptomatic when they are having an episode and will often remain unprotected until AF is confirmed.

If we have risk factors for an AF related stroke, see risk factors link, we should ideally be taking an anticoagulant, although clearly anticoagulation is not without its own risk. There are several anticoagulants that can be tried until we find one that suits.   Aspirin and/or Clopidogrel is rarely the right choice of antithrombotic therapy nowadays for managing AF although I see that some of us are still taking an antiplatelet like Aspirin for AF stroke protection.  I would prefer not to take an anticoagulant and rely on natural blood thinners like turmeric, ginger, vitamin E or the supplement Nattokinase but I fear these would not be sufficiently protective for me personally.

If we have AF, even short infrequent episodes and have risk factors for an AF related stroke, we should discuss stroke protection treatments with our doctors.

https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/801/cha2ds2-vasc-score-atrial-fibrillation-stroke-risk#next-steps

Truly scary

by crustyg - 2024-03-26 11:11:51

I recall just how carefully my EP-doc questioned me about that morning's anti-coag treatment before each ablation, vital as I'd been nil-by-mouth for about 12hrs.  Happily small enough to swallow with only saliva.

It makes me shudder thinking about a clot of that size getting out of the heart.

Thanks.

CrustyG.

Oh the irony!

by Daedalus - 2024-03-26 15:47:32

Posted that video link yesterday and lo and behold AF sought its revenge and has me in its grasp for the past 4 hours now.  Like Gemita, I'm highly symptomatic so it ain't been fun, but it should be passing soon (based on prior episode lengths). 

Oh that is nasty

by Gemita - 2024-03-26 16:46:39

I hope you are keeping well hydrated.  I have had it intermittently throughout today as well but very short lived episodes, almost nuisance episodes.  I have 100s of mode switches over a period but total time spent in AF is still relatively low.  When they last for hours they can really mess with blood flow so I am glad you are protected.  Wish you well and AF free soon Daedalus

Thanks, Gemita

by Daedalus - 2024-03-26 17:06:47

After 5 hrs I took a Sotalol as PIP and it stopped 25 minutes later.  All's well. 👍🏽

I have my 6 month PM check next week and Doc appointment a couple days later. 

Hope the blissful sinus rhythm lasts!

by Gemita - 2024-03-27 05:22:26

Daedalus, please let us know the results of your Pacemaker check next week or whenever you receive these, in particular what your AF burden is and the number of atrial high rate episodes (mode switches) you are getting?  Always nice to compare notes on AF progress using a variety of different treatments.  I used to use Flecainide as a pill in the pocket (PIP), now I am just on Bisoprolol and looking for more support from my pacemaker.  I am sure there is so much more that could be done with settings in the presence of an arrhythmia like AF and I won't rest until I have explored all possible options.  Pacing has already helped me to feel less symptomatic, so the pacemaker clearly helps some of us

Amazing Video! Atrial clot.

by Selwyn - 2024-03-31 13:40:34

Thank you for the video link. Truely amazing! Like a trampoline for a clot.

I wonder what happened to the poor person having the investigation?

I certainly would not like to have that clot waiting to kill me,

I will continue to take my anticoagulation!

This video should be viewed by all those that doubt the wisdom of anticoagulation. Having said that my Mother had a pacemaker, atrial fibrillation and died from a massive stroke. I don't have that much confidence in warfarin. I take apixaban and clopidogrel.  So far I have not had more than a nose bleed and  bruising.