Cardiac Dysrrhythmias Archives

A-Fib with low Ejection Fraction

I truly do appreciate your website. Let me take this time to tell you my story, let me start off by saying that the occurrences over the last month have me terrified, at this point I am open to all philosophies.

I am a 34 year old male (Paramedic) back in 1992-93 I had my first episode of Tachycardia, I went by my station and the medics threw me on a monitor and I was in a-fib with rapid ventricular response (140-150), at the time I was uninsured so I chose not to see an MD. Fast forward to 1997, I have had several more episodes over the years but this one in 97 was worse than most, while I remained asymptomatic I could tell my heart was going WAY too fast. They threw me on a monitor and took me to the ER. Upon arrival my heart rate was 176 and after trying several IV meds I was converted to Normal Sinus with IV Cardizem. Following this incident I had a visit with my mothers cardiologist and was given and Echo (Discovered mitral valve prolapse) and placed on Tenormin 50 Mg.)

It is now June 18th, it 11:30 PM and I am having painful inspiration to the point were I wake up the wife and head to the E.R, I am seen promptly enough and immediately the M.D focuses on my chest pain, the monitor has me in a-fib with rapid ventricular response (140-150) but also shows frequent PVC’s (8-12 minute). I am given Morphine for the chest pain (6 Mg. Total- NO relief) and then Lidocaine bolus/ IV drip to control the PVC’s. For the record I never want Lido again, that was a very nasty IV med. The PVC’s disappear but the on call cardiologist gets report and has the Lido removed. The next day he diagnoses me with Pericarditis and does the whole Solumedrol deal, within 12 hours the pain has disappeared.

I thought that was the end of my nightmare, it was only the beginning, to make a long story short over the next few days I have an echo that reveals a 38% Ejection Fraction rate. Also noteworthy is I cannot convert out of a-fib with rapid ventricular response, I also still am having the PVC’s. They try Procanamide for three days without conversion, they then go on to oral Pacerone, 48 hours later I convert to Normal Sinus, Just in time for my cardiac cath that confirms the 38% Ejection Fraction (Arteries are clear and smooth at least, thank God). I am discharged on a Saturday and see my cardiologist on Monday. On Monday I am informed that I have signs of Cardiomyopathy which has probably been induced by the years of a-fib, a common occurrence I am told. I have no symptoms or signs (nor have I ever had) of CHF. I am given -400 Mg. Monopril- 10Mg. Ecotrin 1 daily and my Tenormin same dose 50 mg. I am told that after two weeks I can cut the Pacerone in half. I do that and 3 days later I have another bout of a-fib with rapid ventricular response (140-150 again) though I don’t feel the palpitations as normal, it feels a little different, not quite as “thumpy” in the chest would be the best way to describe it. The episode last two hours and my doctor tells me to go back up to the full 400 Mg. of Pacerone. I have found your website and am taking the oral Magnesium Orotate 400 mg. at breakfast and at lunch. I go for a Halter monitor in two weeks and even though I have not had another episode of tachycardia I can feel that my rhythm is very irregular and I feel that I am about 75-80% of my normal self. I realize I need to lose weight (6’1” – 270 lbs.) I don’t drink or smoke. I appreciate any input you my have.

Follow Ups:

• Re: A-Fib with low Ejection Fraction (Archive under cardiac dysrrhythmia.) Walt Stoll 09:45:59 7/17/00 (0)

In Reply to: A-Fib with low Ejection Fraction posted by Barry Biedny on July 15, 2000 at 22:15:13:

Hi, Barry.

The most common cause of a history like yours is first: storage of stress-effect in the hypothalamus and second: low intracellular magnesium. It could easily be a combination of both (the third most common cause). If your docs had a clue as to causes, they surely would have done better for you by now!

When you have corrected these causes, please share your experiences with the bulletin board. FORGET ABOUT THE MVP!

Walt