What causes Paroxysmal (occasional) A-Fib to turn into Persistent (Chronic) A-Fib?
Researchers are still working to find the answer(s) to this question. The main trigger seems to be increased pressures in the left atrium that causes the muscle fibers around the pulmonary vein openings to start beating on their own. Uncontrolled blood pressure, untreated sleep apnea, or a worsening cardiomyopathy seem to be key factors that make people progress from Paroxysmal to Persistent A-Fib. (Thanks to Dr. Sidney Peykar for these observations.) Even after a successful ablation for Persistent A-Fib, “the long term success rates depend mostly on treatment of hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.” 65. “I’m eighty years old and have been in Chronic (persistent/permanent) A-Fib for 3 years. I actually feel somewhat better now than when I had occasional (Paroxysmal) A-Fib. Is it worth trying to get an ablation to cure my Chronic A-Fib?” With Chronic A-Fib of long duration, perhaps not. Although a few centers get very good results when treating Chronic A-Fib even of long duration (
