Posts by wiredmaker10

So, things have actually turned out much better on my end than I initially expected... basically, it looks like the diagnosis was just a total wash. They had to push back my ablation because of some issues with my coronary arteries, which actually gave me enough time to get enrolled in a clinical trial and undergo an experimental ablation procedure instead. For now, they've successfully converted the atrial fibrillation back into a normal rhythm. Through cardiac mapping, they found there’s no fibrosis present, which is huge. My heart is still quite enlarged and somewhat weak, but I truly believe it could recover... maybe even get me back to a completely normal life. And since this is part of an American clinical study, they’ll be keeping a very close eye on me for the next 12 months, which is a nice little bonus...
I just really hope my situation can offer a bit of hope and optimism to anyone else out there facing something similar...

Unfortunately, I still haven't received any updates regarding my heart volume or pulmonary pressures... It’s a bit unsettling, honestly, being categorized as high-risk given everything going on with this COVID situation

I realized I neglected to mention my physical stats earlier—I've got a larger build, standing about 6'4" and weighing around 230 lbs... so, when you take that 70mm left atrium diameter and factor in my BSA (2.39m2), the ratio comes out to 29.3 mm/m2. That actually puts me below the critical threshold.

I was really hoping my MRI results would finally give me some clarity on the extent of the LA fibrosis requested in the referral... you know, actual data on how much scarring is actually there and some concrete specifics... but instead, I just ended up with more of the same vague information I already got from the ultrasound..

So, my heart MRI results finally landed on my desk... but honestly, as someone who isn't exactly a medical expert, it’s just a massive mountain of data and numbers. Most of it looks pretty similar to my previous tests, but there aren't any clear-cut conclusions or a definitive diagnosis handed to me on a silver platter.
The report basically says:

There is dilation of the right atrium and dilation of the left atrium (diameter 50mm, area 27cm2), along with LV dilation (width up to 60mm during diastole). However, the wall thickness appears normal, and the myocardial signal intensity is also within the normal range.
No signs of any tumors inside the heart or any pericardial effusion.
In Cine mode, the myocardial contractility is normal, though there is mild mitral regurgitation. No evidence of a shunt.
The resting myocardial perfusion test came back normal.
On the delayed sequences following the IV contrast administration, the myocardial signal intensity remains normal.

LV volumetry and function: EF: 46.1%...

I really appreciate all the info and the explanations provided here... thanks to you all, I was actually able to untangle a few of the contradictions and confusing bits...

I wanted to share some concrete data here... since I’m finding it a bit difficult to draw my own conclusions. The updates from my doctor have been pretty vague so far, leaving so much room for different interpretations...

My proBNP started at 741, then dropped to 583 following acute kidney therapy
LAD was 46, LVIDd 70, EF LV 51%... TSH was just slightly above the limit, though after the acute treatment involving Cordarone, it climbed up to 9

They haven't run an MRI, a coronary angiogram, or a perfusion scintigraphy yet... mostly just blood work and an echo, and that's about all we have for now.
The silver lining is that I have my MRI scheduled for next Thursday... and somehow I managed to snag an earlier appointment for the ablation at CNN late this November. Since the reports suggest getting the ablation done as soon as possible to maximize the chances of restoring a normal rhythm, timing is everything...

Thanks for sharing those details. Since I’ve only been dealing with this whole situation for about three months now... and honestly, my understanding of the disease and what to expect moving forward is still pretty limited... any bit of info or advice you can offer really means a lot to me.

I’m 40 years old... a father to two kids currently in elementary school... and about three months ago, during a routine physical for work, they ran an EKG and found atrial fibrillation—an arrhythmia with rapid heartbeats. It feels a bit strange because, honestly, I felt fine most of the time... well, maybe just getting tired a little faster and struggling more with physical exertion about six months before the exam, but I just chalked that up to hitting middle age and being less active than I used to be. That same day, I went through a barrage of tests in the ER... chest X-rays were okay, blood work was mostly fine, but the echocardiogram showed eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, dilation of the left atrium, and borderline dilation of the right side... along with borderline systolic function. The diagnosis ended up being dilated cardiomyopathy. Since we couldn't pin down exactly when the AFib started, they put me on anticoagulants... but after three weeks, cardioversion failed, so they adjusted my meds, and then another attempt at cardioversion failed six weeks later. My blood work suggests I might have had the Coxsackie virus sometime in the past—maybe six months ago, maybe even six years ago—which could be the culprit here. Now, I'm scheduled for RF ablation (pulmonary vein isolation) in six months... but my discharge papers list the diagnosis as chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation. My doctor told me she isn't sure if the ablation will actually save anything, since the AFib has been going on for so long and part of the heart is essentially dead... so I guess I'm wondering what to expect in the future... regarding quality of life, my ability to work and stay active, and realistically, what my lifespan looks like given my age and the fact that, for now, I feel okay.

Hey everyone...
Since I couldn't find much on this particular topic while browsing the forums, I figured I’d just start a new thread here... hopefully it helps me clarify things, and maybe provides some extra insight for anyone else out there dealing with the exact same thing.