Flecainide and Pacemaker Heart Rate Change

I was on Flecainide for some time before I had my Pacemaker installed on Sept 20. In the hospital they put me on amiodarone and my heart rate was 70 for three weeks. Then I had an echo to follow up on my cardiomyopathy, which was gone, but the found that I may have pulmonary hypertension.

The cardio put me back on Flecainide instead of amiodarone. In the week since my heart rate has been in high 80 to low 90s.

I see him Monday to get my initial readout from the pacer and to get results of chest scans for pulmonary hypertension.

We were not quick enough to question why the medicine change but Monday will ask about his logic for change back.

Is there any reason the Flec would alter my pacer and my heart rate?

1 Comments

Amiodarone

by ebfox - 2013-10-23 10:10:55

Joy,

Amiodarone acts like a rate control drug and a rhythm control drug- it slows your heart plus keeps you in rhythm. Flecainide does not slow your heart, it only keeps you in rhythm.

Amiodarone has some really nasty side effects (such as causing irreversable lung damage) so the change is a good one in my opinion.

Some doctors prescribe a beta blocker along with the flecainide if your rate gets too high.

Good luck,

EB

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