Stroke Forum - Tia/mini Stroke

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What happens during a stroke? What increases your chances of having a stroke? Stroke basics and info on the two types of stroke here....

Q: Tia/mini Stroke

asked by: romelle on March 22nd, 2006

New User

My mum aged 59 was taken to hospital tuesday 13th march with heart pulpitations & finding it hard to breath.

Spent until friday in hospital & was given ecg tests & an echocardiogram. The echo showed an enlarged left atrium.

She also has high blood pressure.

Also given warfrin, digoxin & beta blockers.

On saturday when she went for a walk her leg went numb so she went to hospital & was advised she'd had a mild stroke/tia.

Now wednesday 22 march & has been rushed back to hospital because none of the symptoms have got better & the pills aren't really helping.

I've read that radiofrequency ablation is a step which can be taken to help resolve this.

Can anyone offer any advice on what needs to happen - which pills to take or operations to have? I am very concerned for her health.

Finally, while in hospital she saw 3 different consultants - all giving different advice & contradicting each other! We have no faith in our national health service.

Please help.
Thanks

Replies(1)

drdgb

replied on January 2nd, 2007

New User

Hi,

it sounds like your mother has atrial fibrillation and she is on the standard treatment for it (beta blockers and digoxin to slow the heart rate and warfarin to prevent strokes). As you well know, the risk of stroke is not completely eliminated by the warfarin and it would always be better to return the heart to "siuns rhythm" some patients can be "shocked" back into normal heart rhythm but this does not last if the atrium is enlarged, especially in patients over 65. There is a procedure which ablates an ring of tissue around the pulmonary vein where it enters the atrium. The rationale is that most of the abnormal impulses causing the atrial fibrillation arise in this area. I do not have the expertise to say if this would be effective in your mother's case but it is definalty worth investigating. If is is not an option the best treatment is likely what she is on but it will not eliminate all possible risks of her atrial fibrillation.

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