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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Pacemaker Insertion Necessary For Managing Atrial Fibrillation?

My mother has afib. She s been going in and out of afib recently. Currently, they have her on flecainide doing 150 mg twice a day which is a change from the 100 mg twice a day for her. Her pulse rate when she is in afib is elevated highest being in the 120s. However, when she s in regular sinus rhythm, it s in the low 50s to high 40s. She s also on coumadin, Glipizide, metoprolol, Lasix, potassium and lisinopril. My question is the doctor is considering putting her on a pacemaker. Do you think that is necessary at this point? What are the pros and cons to doing that? Should we try anything else before doing a pacemaker? Also, we wanted to get her checked out for sleep apnea as I read that could be a cause for afib, but I wanted to do that first before we consider the pacemaker. I just wanted to get your thoughts and views on this matter. Thank you.
Fri, 18 May 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

I went through your question, to be honest pacemaker is not needed for atrial fibrillation but what the story sounds is that probably there is something more then AFib related to her heart as if it would have been AFib only then she must not be on so many drugs. Similarly as I said pacemaker is not needed for AFib but the problem looks to be something more, and I understand that the decision of putting in pacemaker is in best interest of her. What I can suggest is you should talk to the cardiologist and discuss in detail why pacemaker is being inserted and what possible alternative I am sure they wont hesitate you to tell you the real story (this is all a part of informed consent which is a common thing to happen before such procedures) if your mom doesn't object.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Is Pacemaker Insertion Necessary For Managing Atrial Fibrillation?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. I went through your question, to be honest pacemaker is not needed for atrial fibrillation but what the story sounds is that probably there is something more then AFib related to her heart as if it would have been AFib only then she must not be on so many drugs. Similarly as I said pacemaker is not needed for AFib but the problem looks to be something more, and I understand that the decision of putting in pacemaker is in best interest of her. What I can suggest is you should talk to the cardiologist and discuss in detail why pacemaker is being inserted and what possible alternative I am sure they wont hesitate you to tell you the real story (this is all a part of informed consent which is a common thing to happen before such procedures) if your mom doesn t object. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.