Atrail Fib meds

Are there any new meds to stop AF dead in it's tracks? If so, how safe are they. Thanks - gle

[steffyrn]

Originally Posted by gle56

Are there any new meds to stop AF dead in it's tracks? If so, how safe are they. Thanks - gle

Hi. Unfortunately, there are no meds proven to stop atrial fibrillation. Amiodarone may help to convert afib back to normal but that is not the intended outcome of the med..it will help to control the rate. Some patients are fortunate enough to have it convert on its own..others need a procedure called a cardioversion. There are cases in which afib will continue indefinately but medication adjustments will lessen the symptoms making it very easy to live life without being aware of the arrythmia.undefined

I had an ablation in 98 with pm implant. I have been taking Rythmol for six years and it seems to control the rate. My EP is trying to talk me into another ablation, but they are so expensive and I don't know if it would do any good or not. I have just been away from the medical part for so long that I was wondering if anything new had been developed. I have had this since (paraximal fib) for close to thirty if not more years. I now have what the doctor says is pacemaker syndrome. Thanks for responding. I don't really have anyone to talk about it too. I had a new pm implant about eight months ago. The old one failed without warning and then after the new one was implanted it failed within the first two weeks. You talk about sick. My pulse was down to 40bpm. I was by myself and called 911. My pulse then jumped up to 150bmp and I was like that for close to 45 minutes. Scared me to death. Whoops I don't like that word. - gle

[TheThrill]

I have lone AF and have used several different medications, most with mixed results at best. Beta blockers were prescribed to me for borderline hypertension which runs in the family. They reduced my heart rate to that of bradycardia and I believe they had a role in my initial episode of AF. Later, a cardiologist put me on amiodarone and lanoxin and the episodes increased. I finally visited an EP who informed me that my type of AF was vagally-mediated and that virtually every taboo med combo had been given to me. He switched me to norpace (disopyramide) and I have not had an episode in over a year. Doctors are divided between rate control meds and rhythm control meds, although my EP thinks that maintaining NSR is the ticket if at all possible. I'm happy for all those who have had success with amiodarone, but the side effects are horrific. Anyone who has been advised to use it should think twice or at very least get a second opinion.

[zip2play]

TheThrill,

Thanks for the Norpace tip. I'll pass that along to my friend who is no longer getting good results from Sotalol (and coumadin, and god-knows what.)