Long-term monitoring, real-time data
Long-term, continuous monitoring of AF
Edgar's atrial fibrillation
Edgar Drake, a 51-year old teacher leading an active and healthy lifestyle, yet suffering from highly symptomatic paroxysmal AF, mild hypertension and diabetes mellitus, underwent unsuccessful treatment for rate and rhythm control. After multiple cardioversion attempts his physician decided on ablation.
Treatment to date
| Echocardiography was normal |
|
| Rate control was unsuccessful: |
|
| Verapamil -> |
patient remained symptomatic |
| Metoprolol -> |
reduction of exercise capacity |
| Switch to rhythm control: |
|
| Sotalol and propafenone -> |
adverse effects |
| Anticoagulation prescribed |
|
| 4 cardioversion attempts -> |
unsuccessful, recurrent
symptomatic events |
Remaining questions
Is AF truly absent?
Can I confidently discontinue anticoagulation?
Are patient symptoms related to arrhythmias?
Which rate or rhythm control should I prescribe?
Next step
Reveal XT was chosen to monitor for AF episodes. The patient underwent Pulmonary Vein Isolation.
Asymptomatic AF revealed
In the first two months after ablation both symptomatic and asymptomatic AF episodes were recorded. Thereafter AF burden gradually decreased and stopped within five months after ablation. But in the following three months AF episodes began to recur. These asymptomatic events were automatically recorded by Reveal, giving the facts on this patient’s AF burden. This can help the physician determine his anticoagulation strategy.
All episode details at your fingertips
Page created: 23 July 2007. Last reviewed: 23 July 2007.
