What is an ablasion procedure is it safe?

[Kallen32-missyou]

Diagnosed with AFIB, cardiologist has suggested for me to look into ablasion proceedure. Taking Eliquis but an expensive drug to be on. Research shows this proceedure with ablasion only 70% successful to put heart back in a normal rhythem? Has anyone had this proceedure done?

[HamishBoxer]

Ablation is where the electrical part of the heart is disabled , allowing normal beats again. That is putting it very simply, various ways of doing it, Catheter etc.

[Ppiman]

Hi Kallen

AF is when the conduction circuits at the top left of the heart are sparking off impulses that they shouldn't, and which make the top part of the heart (the least important part, by the way - by far) quiver in a chaotic way at times. Some people have this permanently, too, but most have it occasionally in spasms that can last a variable time (seconds to many hours). Luckily, these impulses don't overly affect the important part, which is at the bottom, called the ventricles. Usually the effect is to speed it up and make the pulse irregular. This can cause light-headedness, tiredness and sometimes mild chest discomfort.

An ablation introduces a tiny instrument through a vein in the groin. This is threaded to the top of the heart. Once there, its tip is heated (in one method) to allow criss crosses of burnt tissue to be made around the pulmonary veins in the left part of the top chamber. Eventually (after maybe a month or so of healing called the "blanking period") these burns end up as scar tissue which is Abe to prevent the mis-conduction and stop the AF. Depending on many things, this can fail in part at least in up to, say, 20% or so of cases. Even then, the AF will likely eventually be much less frequent. AF can, however, return, even after a successful ablation, but usually not for many years.

It is considered a very safe procedure, although some risks exist since a) the heart wall in the atrium is very thin and can tear; b) the food pipe can press against where the heated catheter tip is and also come burnt; c) the pulmonary veins can get burnt and scarred also; finally, d) having a general anaesthetic carries a small risk of its own, although many people have the procedure under a local anaesthetic.

Steve

[Buzby62]

Hi, I would recommend you repost your question on the AF Support forum where I think you will get much more response.

You can join with your existing Healthunlocked login on the following link healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

You can also see ablation resources on the following link heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Best wishes

[Tigersafl]

I had an ablation many years ago. The procedure itself isn’t painful as you are under. But after you have to lay flat on the bed for at least 4-6 hours as you have a cut near the groin and don’t want you to bleed, as you have a lot of blood thinners.

It was so hard to keep still for that many hours - very uncomfortable - worst experience ever.

As soon as you are able to move you can go home. Recovery is very quick.

But for me, it was very hard to lay still for so many hours.

The ablation never worked for me, I was out of rhythm within a few months.

Years later - i found the only think that had kept me out of rhythm is trying new medications. the cardiologist and I tried new meds to see what works best for me. I eventually found some and now are on meds and haven’t had any episodes.

[TracyAdmin Partner ArrhythmiaAlliance]

Hello and welcome to the Forum. I am sure all the Members will offer you advice based upon their own experiences.

You will find a wealth of information regarding AFib on the AF Association webpage: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Please take a moment to watch the videos and download some of our patient resources: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

You will find informative support about the ablation procedure by downloading the 'Treatment Options for AF' booklet: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact our Patient Services Team: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

booklet