Sotalol for AtrialFibrillation & Cardioversion

Alun Rhys Jones

What a super-drug...! After a heart-attack (Oct 06) & diagnosed A.F. then successful Cardioversion Nov-06... lasted for more than a year... back into A.F. mid-Dec-07 with no known cause... back on the Warfarin and unsuccessfully re-cadioverted mid Feb-08. I was pretty down after hoping and praying I might get back to Sinus rhythm. Consultant then put me on Sotalol (80mg x twice a day) to replace previously prescribed Beta-blacker Bisporolol, which I'd been on ever since the M.I. I thought "Some chance! Surely it's just another Beta-blocker" I couldn't have been more wrong. Almost as soon as I started taking Sotalol, my palpitations & associated anxiety attacks subdued and everything just seemed to calm down. Yes, I was still in A.F., but was far less symptomatic. Exercise was easier, less breathlessness, more energy etc. After one month on Sotalol, I was today successfully cardioverted at first attempt! Back in sinus now and over the moon about it. I'm told I'll now stay on Sotalol long-term. No noticeable side-effects for me - I guess I'm one of the lucky ones... Wink

Dave Bailes

Yes, Alun, it does seem like a wonder drug - for those who don't suffer too many side effects anyway!

I was not put onto it after my AF became established in 2005 (after three revertions failed) but I had an ICD fitted in 2008. Good thing because in 2009 I suffered ventricular tachycardia in a big way!

After a "storm" of seven shocks they started me on Sotalol and it immediately made a marked improvement in my ecg. It was boosted up to 160mg in the end.

To the amazement of my consultant it also seems to have reverted my AF, I am back in sinus rhythm. Pity that I had an AV Nodal Ablation when the ICD was fitted, so the atria are running nice and regularly, just not in sync with the ventricles!

Still, I prefer to suffer the side effects rather than suffer more cardiac problems.