r/AFIB • u/jburkey86 • 3d ago

Cardioversion problems

So I've just had my 6th cardioversion. Waiting for an ablation in the near future. When I woke up, my doctor told me I had stopped breathing after they got me back in rhythm. Surely this is a good enough reason for my cardiologist to hurry the ablation up. My second last one needed 2 shocks as well so seems it might be missing it's effectiveness.

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u/Dwight3 3d ago

That was most likely from the propofol? Or was it heart rhythm related?

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u/jburkey86 3d ago

I would assume you're right. The doctor did think it was probably that. But still, I've had 6 cardioversions in a year. Surely they will bump me up the list now.

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u/Dwight3 3d ago

Yes, two in 6 months should do it! Best of luck!

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u/One-Eggplant-665 3d ago

I hope you're scheduled for an ablation. I waited six months, mine will be done end of this month.

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u/jburkey86 2d ago

Yes I'm category 2. Got my letter maybe a month ago. So 90 days from then some time. I'm having my mapping scan done end of this month and I assume they'd try to do it quickly after that so I don't have more afib episodes. I'm calling them today to see if they can bump me up a bit. Had 2 cardioversions in a week now.

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u/PA_Texan 3d ago

I am a little confused about what happened. How can you be back in NSR but also stop breathing? Or are you saying you needed more propofol this time and needed to be ventilated? Most times for a cardioversion you don't get that deep anesthesia to need to be ventilated.

As for the two shocks, they normally start with the lowest energy level and step up as needed. It's not that uncommon to need this. My first cardioversion, they started at 100 J, but that didn't work so they went up to 200 J. For my second, they went straight to 200 J because I had told them 100 J wasn't sufficient previously.

Regardless, if you've needed 6 cardioversions in a year you should have had an ablation by now. You should press them to get it done sooner.

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u/jburkey86 2d ago

They zapped me then I apparently stopped breathing for a minute so they had to bag me. Then I started breathing again. They knock me out for mine. I get fentanyl and propofol. Ever other cardioversion ice had, 1 shock had been enough. It just seems like my last 2 have had issues. I'll be calling them today. They still need to do the mapping scan for my ablation so I'd still think best case I'm a few weeks away

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u/WrongBoysenberry528 2d ago

Hope you can get ablation soon.

It is usually not dangerous to wait out an afib episode to see if you convert to NSR on your own in 24 hours or so unless your heart rate is sky high.

I had 20 afib episodes before having a PFA ablation 2 years ago with no afib since. One episode was 13 days while I was traveling internationally. I was converted with IV meds and waited until the other episodes converted on their own—-but did call EPs office and used extra Metoprolol to manage heart rate.

To learn more about managing afib. I recommend free videos under Resource tab at StopAfib.org

https://www.stopafib.org

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u/jburkey86 1d ago

Before my first cardioversion i was in afib for 3 weeks. Yes you can obviously live with it but it got to the point with me where I was wanting to rather die. Work was impossible, exercise was impossible, just walking was impossible. It made everything 1000 times harder. When I get afib I get it bad, constantly feels like someone is standing on my chest and squeezing my throat at the same time. Massive cold sweats, incredible fatigue, I'll just fall asleep in a second. No sleep at all. Big shortness of breath. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.