First PVA

[wpw62]

Can anyone tell me what expect prior to my ablation. Will I have to stop taking warfarin and or the flecainide and diltiazem ? If do how many days before? Just confirmed that I am within range and waiting for a date in June.

[jennydog]

I am intending to post separately re my recent visit to my EP. In answer to your warfarin question - I too am very stable. He said I was not to take warfarin the night before and to be below 3. Very best wishes.

[Hidden]

I think different EP's do different things, I can only tell you about mine. I had to stop my rhythm control drugs some days before so that I hopefully had the arrhythmia back for them to detect. But I was told to increase my dose of Warfarin and given a range of 3-4. I didn't reach that higher target (got to 2.5 - 2.7 or thereabouts) but they went ahead anyhow.

Koll

[BobD Volunteer]

All EPs seem to have different procedures., some keeping you on it some stopping five days before, some using clexane injection for te last five days. There is no hard and fast rule.

Just for the record the term is PVI--- Pulmonary Vein Isolation OR ablation PVA is a type of glue. lol

Stay relaxed and good luck

Bob

[Dodie117]

My EP didn't change anything. I was on bisoprolol and warfarin and stayed on them. Inr had to be stable between 2 and 3. I was taken off bisoprolol on the day after the procedure and take no meds now except warfarin.

Seems EPs are all different. Best of luck.

[wpw62]

Thank you all for your replies.

Bob I feel that I need gluing back together sometimes lol

Where would we be without thus forum. I read every post. They are so informative.

[iris1205]

Holding up well as the date approches? I hope so! I am on xarelto, so I can't speak to Warfarin but as everyone says, some continue the meds through the ablation others....

I stopped Flecainide,xarelto, and metoprolol the day of the procedure, and started up the next day. Big push of heparin during the procedure! Stay in touch, the support here is invaluable!

[wpw62 in reply to iris1205]

Thanks Iris1205. I have a date now 11th July. I guess they will advise on stopping my meds or not nearer the time. I am so glad I found this forum for support and information. Take care x

[iris1205]

Getting closer to your date! How are you doing? The waiting is the worst, the day of the ablation will fly by!

[wpw62]

Yes ticking the days off. You are right the waiting just gets worse. My INR was high last week 3.1 and I got vey upset about it. Thank you for thinking of me x

[iris1205 in reply to wpw62]

Keeping checking in here... it truly helps as the first date with the ablation approaches!

[Rellim296]

My INR was 3.5 on the day of my ablation ( having been 2.7 a few days before). I was horrified but it did not seem to be a problem, so don't be too worried.

[wpw62]

Thanks rellim 296. It's very reassuring to hear from others who have already been through it. I get so anxious every time I go for my INR checks. Only another four weeks to go. I am so glad I found this forum and the AFA. the support is really Appreciated

[Rellim296 in reply to wpw62]

Yes, the waiting is the hard part particularly with a first ablation. One imagines it will be more of a hurdle than it turns out to be. Good luck!

I forgot to say that I was told to continue to take all my medication (warfarin, flecainide, losartan and atenolol) right up to the ablation.

[wpw62]

Were you still on warfarin during your ablation?

[Rellim296 in reply to wpw62]

Yes - never missed a dose. INR was 3.4 three days after the ablation. Bit of a reduction in dose (down from 8.7mg to 8.3, which is 8mg five days a week and 9mg the other two) and INR was 2.2 the following week.