Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Angiogram

Heart health and blood vessels
1

I am due to have a Coronary Angiogram and I am scarred witless, not able to sleep etc., and in a panic. I do not have Angina and am suffering no chest pain.(AF) Just out of breath mostly and have had one cardioversion which lasted about 2 weeks at most.[Great while it lasted] I have had a Myocardial Perfusion and an Echocardiogram now they want me to have an Angiogram. I am an anxiety sufferer and prone to OCD too. Why should I risk a stroke having an Angiogram  just to see if I have a problem. Why not an MRI?

They also want me to take Amiodorone if I have another cardioversion, I refused to take this toxic drug and was prescibed Sotalol instead. I also take Ramipril, Digoxin and of course Warfarin (usually only 2mg ref. my INR yellow book.)

My main problem other than exhaustion is pain in mostly my right shoulder and down the arm. The cardiologists don't relate this to any of the drugs I take or to my AF but some USA sites think it is the Warfarin.

Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

MickE

 

2

Hey MikeE

I have had an angiogram and it is no big deal.  Look at the bright side - if they do find a blockage, then you'd have the AF to thank.  Seriously, AF is controllable, but a surprise heart attach can cause all kinds of problems, if not death.

I suggest that you relax if possible - stress can by itself cause AF.

Your shoulder pain could be from sitting at a computer wrong and have nothing to do with your heart.

Who knows, maybe after the angiogram turns out negative your stress will be so relieved that you no longer have AF.

Good luck!

Frank

3

Just relax.  They will give you an atavan to relax you ((they do here in Canada) this is so you don't move while they are doing the procedure.  It is painless.  Just relax.. CD

4

An angiogram is a piece of cake. With a good cardiologist it is over in ten minutes. There is a CT version but if you needed stents or an angioplasty you would then have longer to worry as you waited to get it done. 

5

I've also had an angiogram, no biggy.

I also only stayed in rhythm for a few days after my first cardioversion, was then put on the 'big gun' anti antiarrythmia, Amioderone, and zapped again 3weeks later and have stayed in rhythm since mid March.

Being in rhythm  helps you stay in rhythm, being in afib help you to remain in afib(generally speaking).

my ejection fraction went from 25to 54% after a month of being in rhythm and on the meds, it had remained at 25% for the previous 3 months since being diagnosed with a tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy.

i see the cardiologist again in a few weeks and suspect he'll put me onto Sotolol as he also doesn't want on Amioderone long term.

it's been a further 3months since I had the MRI that showed my EF at 54%, so am hoping for some more improvement in my EF when I have the ECG in a few weeks.

 But you are right, Amioderone is strong antiarrythmia with some potentially nasty, life threatening side effects, but I'm told that short term, in low doses (100-200mg/day) the chances of anything nasty happening are quite low.

I'm not overly happy about being on Amioderone, but I do think it's played a huge role in helping me to stay in rhythm and get things back on track.

Ive had to make some life style adjustment(which was tough at first) but I'm feeling great ATM and am doing all the physical stuff that I used to be able to do.

So, in my humble opinion, short term, low dose Amioderone to help you stay in rhythm and get things back to an acceptable is worth the risk.

i am a 49 YO schoolteacher, living in South Australia.

good luck with it all, hope this has been of some help

6

Dear MickE

Like the other respondents I would advise you to keep calm - I feel they wouldn't be wanting to do the Angio if it wasn't necessary to get to the root of your problems. They have to point out the risks, mainly to make patients aware of what can happen but try and remember that you will be monitored continuously as it's not in the Doctors' interests for you to come to harm. If you feel that you really can't contemplate the Angio you need to explore the options. If an MRI is a suitable alternative and it's on the grounds of cost then you need to get your GP to confer with the Cardiologists to explain the adverse psychological effects this procedure is having on you.

Wishing you all the best

 

7

Hi Everybody and thanks for all your replies and support,

I am working through my anxiety and got a better nights sleep last night.   I have worked through the copy letter to my GP with my son and looked up the technical words and looked at diagrams. It seems that an Angiogram is the best bet to look at blood flow. Its seems the myocardial perfusion showed up a likely likely restricted flow of the 'left anterior artery descending' which supplies the left ventricle. If they can confirm by injecting the dye as they go  they can then decide what to do. So logically, it is the best course I now think. My brain is still struggling with it but I am sure all will be fine.  I will probably need to get back in rhythm   at some point   and next time we are going with sotalol which I am already on as I was due to have a second cardioversion.           thanks all, I wiil try and remeber to let you know how things go .......Mick

8

Hi all,

        just an update on my treatment. I had the angiogram on Tuesday and all was fine. It did not hurt and the doctor was brilliant. I have no swelling, no briusing and just a small scab about 2mm. So almost like a large injection. The only strange feeling is the chemical which gives a strange burning sensation but passes. I would say it is a procedure that is less traumatic than other procedures I have had and not painful. My result is also positive in that they found 2 restricted arteries supplying the heart, so at least there is a cause. The doctor showedme the pictures and he is putting me forward to have 2 stents fitted and he will do the fitting for me. Similar proceedure but will take an hour longer. Hopefully he will be able to use my wrist like he did with the angiogram.

Well hopefully a positive result to encourage others!

Mick