Mitral stenosis & atrial fibrillation

My mum has had mitral stenosis for many years and over the last. 6 months has been unwell with atrial fibrillation. She has been on every combination of medication and nothing is working. Her valve is still ok but her heart beat is around 130.

It has now been suggested that she may need a radio frequency ablation (RFA) and a pacemaker. Does anyone have or know of anyone that has this and if so how do they feel with it? All info would be greatly appreciated

Hi,


Atrial fibrillation</a> is a fast heart rate(120 to 150 bpm) and the top part of the heart (atria) is beating really fast due to some kind of wiring problem. The right atrium houses the "pacemaker" SA node and it is here generally that the wiring problem is situated. RFA simply uses sound waves to cause scar tissue to parts of the node to correct to calm it down.

I work in a busy emerg and I have looked after several patients that have undergone this procedure all report no real side effects and in one case the ablation had to be done a few times.

Hope this helps

Post Edited By Moderator (Pink Grandma) : 4/8/2011 7:13:40 AM (GMT-6)