Are you put to sleep when you have ablation or given just a local also is there a difference between catheter ablation and radiofrequency

[barnes12]

Ablation if so which is best and does it work first time

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi again Barnes. Jonathan always had me away with the fairies for the whole time and I expect that for you also if he does it. Not all EPs use GA as some prefer to chat to the patient along the way and only use sedation.

. There is no difference between the two. Catheter ablation just means that they go in via a vein with a catheter. Radio frequency means that they use this to heat the tip of the catheter to make the burns. Cryo ablation uses a catheter and a small balloon which is filled with liguid CO2 to make a freeze burn. There is no guarantee of "cure" with the first procedure although many people do find it works. I had three all told as my first didn't work .my second did for 9 months and then I am so good at mending thing I re-established toe pathways so he did a third. That was 2008.

Bob

[barnes12 in reply to BobD]

Hi bobd so have you now been"cured" after 3rd time

[BobD Volunteer in reply to barnes12]

I never use the word cure with AF as there is little long term data but I haven't had AF since. I do get ectopics and short runs of tachycardia from time to time and had three months of bad multiple ectopics back end of last year and discussed the problem with JRC. I put myself back on some drugs with his agreement and we were going to meet to discuss the way forward when they vanished as fast as they came. My motto is live every day as if it is your last and one day you will be right. lol

He really is a great bloke and I would have a fourth at the drop of a hat if he said I needed it.

Bob

[Hidden]

I've had GA and sedation. I'd find it difficult to choose between the two given the choice. Maybe I'd choose sedation? Even though not out cold, time passes extremely quickly and you feel completely relaxed. I felt nothing except at one point when they started ablating (I was heavily ablated I believe), it started to hurt and all I recall was hearing the word "Morphine" and next thing I woke up in a bed, all over.

Koll

[CDreamer]

Both times sedated, as Koll says time goes very quickly and part of the sedation gives you amnesia so you don't remember some bits of it anyway, I asked not to remember the TOE And I didn't either time whereas other bits are very clear. No pain whatsoever, felt slight sensation twice. The only local I had was for the insertion of the cannula in the back of my hand through which they administer the drugs, I have appallingly difficult to find veins! Sedation over GA very time as general recovery is so rapid and far less risk of complications. I was up and eating my evening meal 15 minutes after end of procedure.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

What about the lying flat for four hours afterwards so the entry wound heals? Did you have colagen plug or something?

Bob

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

Yes I had to keep my leg straight for 7 hours, basically overnight but I was partly propped up so no, not literally walking around until the following morning, about 12 hours after the end of the procedure. Sorry if I gave that impression. No colagen plug, just pressure for 15 minutes. The nurse ratio was 1:1 so I had someone monitoring me very carefully and she was very strict about keeping my leg straight.

[barnes12 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi what does TOE mean ?

[CDreamer in reply to barnes12]

Trans Osophogus Echocardiogram.

It is a screening they need to do to ensure that there is no clot in the atria before they start the procedure, it will be carefully explained to you, by putting a tiny camera down your throat they can get a close up picture of your heart and the inside of your heart. Pushing something like down your throat is not something you really want to experience, hence the drugs. I really don't remember anything about that bit. It can leave you with a bit of a sore or achy throat afterwards but no worse than you would experience with a light cold.

[barnes12 in reply to CDreamer]

Dont like the sound of that is it always done

[Lizzo in reply to barnes12]

I certainly had it done, too. I was awake throughout, and aware of what was happening. Not painful, but not the most pleasant experience, I'm afraid. It doesn't last long, though. I had a sore throat for a couple of days afterwards.

[CDreamer in reply to barnes12]

I don't know, but I wouldn't want to have an ablation without it, too dangerous if there were to be a clot in the atria.

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

I had GA on all of mine, wasn't given any choice,

Eillen

[iomhair]

I had a cryobaloon procedure for which I got sedation and painkillers. I felt the freezing part but it's discomfort rather than pain. The time passes very quickly and you're back in bed before you know it. Definitely worth it.

[Offcut]

I have had 3 and all mine have been under local. I found the whole time fascinating ( Maybe I am a bit strange ) I must add I am allergic to the trace so maybe that is why? I do have to tell them if I am feeling strange as my BP disappears!

[Lizzo]

I had a catheter ablation in Leeds in February. This was done under local anaesthetic and sedation. The procedure lasted 5 hours in total, so was a bit of a marathon! I can remember it all, including quite a bit of pain, oddly in my shoulders. When I complained about the pain, they did administer some morphine, which did help a bit. I had to lie still for a couple of hours afterwards, then spent the night in hospital. The good news is that I'm back in sinus rhythm and have had no problems since the procedure. I'm still on Amiodarone, though, so we'll see what happens when I come off that (hopefully soon!). In all, I would say that it was definitely all worth it.

One very important piece of advice is - make sure you go for a wee beforehand - it's a long time to hold on !!!

[barnes12 in reply to Lizzo]

Thanks lizzo

[lisapaulina1 in reply to Lizzo]

Hello

May i know if we wear foley catheter or not during procedure ? I heard it painful..

[Lizzo in reply to lisapaulina1]

Hi. I didn't have a Foley Catheter during my ablation. I have had one fitted in the past for an unrelated reason, and it was not painful, just a bit uncomfortable when it was fitted.

[Maitha]

In both my ablations I had sedation only , and talking to doctor during the procedure , as EP doctor said it is better to keep the hear awake so he can find all possible Irrethemia during the study.

Even the last one was long duration about six hours it passed quickly , no pain , just chest discomfort and cold .

After the procedure I had to lay on my back for few hours , my back hearted me a lot (11 hours as total ) specially I'm having stiff neck long time back.

Both my previous ablation were successful even my case is more complicated due to pervious open heart surgeries so I'm very lucky thank god , and I'm having the third ablation soon for another problem.

The procedure is easier that we expected usually .

Wish you well soon.

[mallet-head]

Hi Barnes,

My EP explained the pros and cons of GA vs local + sedation, when we discussed my forthcoming ablation. I was given the choice and I elected for GA after which I was completely "out of it" for the 4+ hours of the procedure but was awake in recovery probably less than 15 minutes later. I appreciate there may be individual circumstances dictating one particular method of anaesthesia, but it should be something you can discuss with your EP. Admittedly groggy for a while, for me this was an advantage as you have to lie flat for maybe another 4 hours to allow the small incisions, made for the catheter entries, to close up and stop bleeding, and therefore less inclined to want to move around!!

Hope this helps, Good luck, Mallet-head

[barnes12 in reply to mallet-head]

Thanks

[EngMac]

This site explains the procedures and some approaches.

healio.com/cardiology/arrhy...

[dedeottie]

I have got to have one and I don't like the sound of it either!!

[Cuervo]

In the US I think it is called TEE. This was done to me to look for clots before a cardio version. It was not done before ablation because my blood had been thin long enough without interruption..several weeks above 2 and 2.5 before the ablation. My throat did not hurt at all afterward. Nor did I remember..last I knew they sprayed my throat. Later as I was resting I asked when it would be done, and it had already happened! So hope others do so well. Cuervo

[Hidden]

Hi Barnse I had my ablation yesterday. Had a G A also TOE and all i can say is do not worry too much about the procedure. Yeah you have chest pain after but you would have pain with any procedure and the TOE just makes your throat sore but again no biggie. The groin cut may ve the biggest problem and trust me they make sure you do the right thing. They lay you glat for 4 hours after procedure and gradually sit you upright. Good luck and dont stress the drugs they knock you out with are good and pain relief is on hand if required.