Has anyone had an ablation carried ou... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Has anyone had an ablation carried out while on one of the new anticoagulant drugs?

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meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Not yet Jean but I am awaiting my ablation and on one of the new anticoagulants EP does not appear to think this is an issue and I think plans to proceed as he would if I had been on warfarin.

Dee

Didgmanmick profile image
Didgmanmick

Yes I had ablation 7 weeks ago and had been on Rivaroxaban for about 3 months prior to the procedure.

I had to stop taking it 24 hours before and resumed I think 48 hours after.

All seamed to be well.

My EP Prof Gill at St Thomas's London welcomed its use, as of course no messing around with INR means no last minute cancellations.

Hope this helps.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Didgmanmick

Thanks for your reassuring reply.

I know someone who had ablations carried out by Prof Gill and he was completely cured on the second try!!! How are you feeling now?

Didgmanmick profile image
Didgmanmick in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hiya Jeanjeannie50

Well early days, this is my first ablation.

So hard to tell how things are going. All I can say is so far had no AF episodes but have had quite a few missing beats lasting a few minutes to 8 hours but think this may be caused by anxiety, as you may well no contributes to triggering them off.

Had my 6 week review with Prof Gill on Monday just gone and he seem very pleased with my progress and has reduced my beta blockers in view of me coming of them altogether.

What's your story ?

All the best.

Mick.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Didgmanmick

Was diagnosed with PAF about 8 years ago, though I feel that my episodes of extreme tiredness for many years before then was probably AF. Knew nothing about it in those days! I've had two ablations and a third one could be ahead. However, I've stopped taking Amiodarone and my heart problems appear to have disappeared, though it's too early to get the flags out yet. Good luck with your recovery, I'm pleased you're doing so well. Jean

Didgmanmick profile image
Didgmanmick in reply to jeanjeannie50

Thanks for your kind wishes hope your problems stay well away.

Good health.

Mick.

MarkS profile image
MarkS

An ablation using Dabigatran rather than warfarin can result in more minor clots being produced.

In this report:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/239...

the incidence of microthromboemblism (a very minor clot in the brain) was 10% with warfarin and 26.7% with dabigatran after ablation.

However this is only where the dabigatran is interrupted on the morning of the ablation. I have heard that the rates of the micro clots are similar if dabigatran is not interrupted. You might want to discuss this with your EP.

Mark

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply to MarkS

that's a very useful study Mark- have printed it out to show people we are working with on anti-coag and stroke prevention in the Southern counties

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to MarkS

Hi Mark - Thank you, that's very interesting. I will be discussing the new anticoalgulants when I see my EP in August. The only reason I would want to change is because my INR result is never consistent. It has been as high as 6.5 and low as 1.9. I'm making trips to the coag nurse just about every week. If it's ever left longer between visits its usually out of range. When I get my paroxsmal AF my heart generally doesn't stop racing unless it's cardioverted and the hospital won't do that unless I've had 4 weeks in the required INR range so it's important for me.

Had Ablation at end of December at QE, Birmingham. Stopped Dabigatran 48 hrs before and started again next day. No problems at all and have not looked back. A/F free since then. Feel I have my life back at the moment. Would not hesitate if second Ablation needed . Good luck. Anne

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to

Hi Anne - That's reassuring to hear. I may need a third ablation and will find out when I next see my EP in August. However I've been so well since stopping Amiodarone, if I continue like this chances are I wont need a third one. Grandma, who writes on this forum, and her diet that has improved her health so much has really inspired me and I am now eating super healthy too..

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Yes, the main reason I was advised to take Dabigatran was my EP wanted to perform an ablation within 2 weeks and didn't want to mess around with Warfarin. I have had 2 ablations, been on Dabigatron for 8 months with no problems other than heartburn (don't take it late at night and drink plenty of water). I stopped my last dose 12 hours before both ablations and resumed + 12 hours.

Barb1 profile image
Barb1

Interesting posts. My EP wants me off Dabigatran for 48 hrs and commence Warfarin for 2 weeks before my 4th ablation to achieve an INR of 2.5-3. He says that there are better results on Warfarin for ablations. Not sure whether to question him on this now.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Barb1

I guess all EP's will have different ideas on anticoagulation before ablations according to their experience with results during and after performing the procedure.

Juls54 profile image
Juls54

Hi Jean , I am on Xarelto 20 mg & had my PVI Ablation on 13th May . I had to stop Xarelto 2 days b4 & take asprin instead eg stop Xarelto in the 10th am & changed to asprin & last dose of Asprin on the 12th am for the ablation on the13th am . I had no problems at all & recommenced Xarelto on the 14th in the am . Because I had 2 TIA's I will be remaining on them pretty much forever . My Cardio told me if I have to have any procedures done at anytime to just stop the Xarelto 2, days b4 hand & all will be good . Hope this helps .

Julie

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Juls54

Hi Julie - How long have you been taking Xarelto? I think that's the name of the tablets my GP said he would prescribe. Are there any side effects that you have experienced? I have a very sensitive acid stomach and wonder how these would be.

Jean

Juls54 profile image
Juls54 in reply to jeanjeannie50

Jean I started taking Xarelto beginning of March , I have had no side effects at all from it . I take my tablet at 7.00 am every morning , I like the fact that you can eat whatever you want & don't have to worry about lots of blood tests . I wear a silicon medi alert band with drug name & dosage on it , just in case of eg car accident . My feeling is if you have to take a anticoagulant this is the way to go . Hope this helps .. Julie

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