I am a 37 year old male. Two years ago, I had an isolated a-fib episode. It was fully resolved at the hospital, with electric cardioversion performed less than 24 hours after symptoms started, and I never had it again. At the time, an ultrasound was performed, and my heart was structurally normal. I was told that my a-fib was very likely a consequence of severe indigestion and bloating, and that since it was an isolated episode, not to worry about it anymore, and just take Xarelto for 28 days. P
Over these past two years, I have bought an FDA approved A-fib detector monitor, have performed several EKGs in hospital settings, Holters, etc., and thank God the results are always fine and I never had any problem again.
My doctor has told me to fully forget it ever happened, and to just live a normal life, as I have nothing to worry about.
When I was taking the Xarelto, though, right after cardioversion, and because I am very clumsy, I actually let 2 pills fall down the drain. So, I ended up not taking it for 28 consecutive days, but 26 consecutive days.
Even though I clearly remember this, I never really paid significant attention to it or thought it was important, until a friend of mine, who has just recently a-fibbed as well, and also had cardioversion, told me that because he had forgotten to take Xarelto properly, his doctor wanted him to take it all over again.
As I am a bit of an anxious person, I have gotten anxious about it now… Basically, am I in any special risk regarding the possibility of a residual clot existing from having taken Xarelto everyday for 26 days after the cardioversion instead of 28? I mean, in a case like mine, is there really any clinical difference between having taken it for 26 days instead of 28 days, or are the 28 days just protocol?
I tried to read about it online, but some places say any eventual clots are fully resolved after just three weeks of anticoagulation (so, just 21 days), and that the four weeks are just a precaution, while others do refer the need of 28 days of treatment… It’s very confusing…
Thank you very much.