Can anyone tell me what percentage of a fib patients eventually undergo ablation therapy in the US and EU?

[Bostonguy]

And of that number or percentage how many require a second or even third ablation

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Bostonguy. I don;t know the up to date figures for UK but about four years ago the number was under ten thousand so not a high percentage of patients with AF. . In UK NICE say that you have to have failed to control AF with three different drugs before contemplating Ablation I think. there are thought to be about a million patients with AF in UK

BobD.

[TheStand]

Hi Bostonguy and Welcome to the forum,

Wow, That's a big question... I'm not sure where to even find the answer.

I do know that in the US, Ablation is quickly becoming the first line treatment for AF. Although some insurance co's require you to fail on at least 1 of the Rhythm Control meds first. The success rates are causing the EP community to consider Ablation the goto procedure. Which actually makes a lot of sense with the number of younger people being diagnosed with AF. The idea of trying to control it for 20 to 30+ years with meds is not even a possibility due to the progressive nature of AF.

As to the # of ablations... As of right now it is believed that a successful ablation will rid the patient of AF for 5+ years. It is thought that once the heart starts to develop the alternate electrical pathways, It may continue to do the same after the ablation and AF could re-occur. I know others who have had 1 ablation 7 or 8 years ago and have had no further attacks. I also know some who have needed 2 or 3 procedures to stop AF from happening. I believe that could be dependent on the skill of the person doing the procedure. Here in the US we use the term "Rock Star EP" referring to an EP with a great success rate and has done 2000+ Ablations. (IE: Dr. Natale)

My ablation was done in Feb this year and for the last 4 months I have been AF free.

Sorry I couldn't come up with a number for you. Again, Welcome to the forum and we look forward to hearing from you.

Tim

[Hidden]

Hello Bostonbuy

Can't answer your questions but can tell you about my own experience. Having been really poorly with AF I eventually had 1st ablation which didn't work, then a second which improved my life dramatically. I had far fewer episodes, but still not free of AF, so they plan to do a third sometime this year. Any medication brings with it side effects, so I would rather have an ablation than trying different drugs. My EP is optimistic that he can drastically reduce my episodes of AF. Hope this helps.

All the best

Carrie