Brief Answer:
It wouldn't be left untreated sir, but may be it wasn't doing the job

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I guess it all comes down to risk versus benefit, and looking at how well you respond to amiodarone.

Leaving atrial fibrillation untreated can result in uncontrolled increase pulse rate which can ultimately result in complications like heart failure, strokes, etc.

Usually digoxin (helps control heart rate), blood thinner (e.g. warfarin), rivaroxaban), and diltiazem. But I guess you were not responding well enough to that treatment regimen which is why your doctor chose to initiate amiodarone sir.

So in the end, even with your old regimen you were not leaving the atrial fibrillation untreated, but I am guessing it wasn't doing the job. Which could have been realised either by worsening of your atrial fibrillation, or no improvement at all.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

---

Brief Answer:
Thank you for that sir, please read my discussion below

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Thank you for that.

I completely understand what you are feeling. Yes, amiodarone does carry numerous side effects, some of which are quite intense. And as a doctor I think several times before starting any patient on amiodarone, and I am sure your doctor has done so too.

But you should still discuss a few things with your doctor like:

+How long does he intend on keeping you on amiodarone?
+Did he see any warning signs that led him to decide to start you on amiodarone?
+What if you experience certain more severe side effects?

Now coming to your question, having atrial fibrillation all your life does not really result in serious consequences. Many individuals have lived with a. fib all their lives without experiencing any serious consequences of the condition. But, living with atrial fibrillation does always carry the risk of it resulting in some amount of weakness of the ventricles which can over time result in hypertension, stroke, etc.

But from my experience this has happened only in a handful of patients who have not responded to their treatment region very well from the beginning. In your case, all the parameters are well controlled, and I honestly do not see the need for the amiodarone.

So I would recommend you discuss elaborately with your doctor on what the treatment aims at and so on. I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you.

Best wishes.

---

Brief Answer:
Yes it does sir, especially in a certain scenario

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Yes of course, treatment with amiodarone (class I-C drugs) help treat atrial flutter. In certain cases when the main wave/mother wave called the AFI breaks into multiple smaller waves it results in atrial flutter. This is not always the mechanism of atrial flutter, but when it occurs it is most advisable to use a class I-C drug (e.g. amiodarone) which can help end atrial flutter by reinstating the mother wave (AFI).

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

---