To ablate or not to ablate...

[Peddling]

Saw Wajid Hussein at Harefield last week. He expressed surprise that I was back in sinus having been diagnosed by my local cardiologist as being in persistent af. I suggested it was due to the medication, but he said sometimes af just disappears and no one is quite sure why. He thinks I should have an ablation, as in his view, it will return. I have seen this opinion voiced on this website too, many times.

Yesterday I saw my GP on an unrelated matter and mentioned his advice. She was not convinced of the need and pointed out that it can take two or three attempts to achieve success. I am in a bit of a dilemma, love being in sinus, but in all honesty, didn't feel too different when not. When faced with two options...find a third!

Also spoke of my distrust of digoxin, he said to stop taking it and that he didn't like it either.

[Hidden]

Well wait for the experts to have their say, but I think your GP's comment is a bit strange. Ablations, according to EP's at least, are supposed to be part of an ongoing treatment, not an immediate and/or permanent success. It is quite normal to have to repeat an ablation.

My AF went away by the way, just before my second ablation, and then it came back after they aborted the procedure ....gggrrrr.... My first ablation lasted 8 very pleasant years. I suppose you could call that not working!!!

Koll

[Marion62]

I am also in permanent AF on diltiazem and digoxin.

Interested to read about you stopping digoxin - may I ask what dose you were on and do you take any other medication?

Thanks

Marion

[Peddling in reply to Marion62]

A very small dose, 125 mcg. Also on candesartan 8 mg and nebivolol 2.5.

I think some do v. well on digoxin. It didn't disagree with me. It is more of an emotional issue. I kep reading adverse reports -

[Marion62 in reply to Peddling]

Thanks . Yes I too keep reading reports about digoxin. I only take 62.5 mcg.

[BobD Volunteer]

I agree with Koll in that ablation is part of an ongoing treatment and may need repeats. I had three before my AG went but wouldn;t change a thing. You GP I fear is thinking budgets rather than health care..

[pmd1301]

I had 2 ablations before resolution. I was allergic to Digoxin so tried several other meds before stuck with Losartan . Fingers crossed 14 months clear of AF

[Hidden]

I'm with your GP, who appears surprisingly knowledgeable on AF. As I have often said here, ablation with Lone PAF is for me an emergency procedure when there is no other way out; remember procedures are improving annually. I also do not favour longterm drugs or supplements of any sort. What's left is looking at Lifestyle changes full-on with a strict timetable of getting off the stabilising drugs within 2 years.

I'm halfway there but it's early days.

[Rellim296]

The success of an ablation is not necessarily whether it gets rid of AF completely. One attempt may not be enough but can improve one's quality of life enormously.

With hindsight I wish I had been referred earlier to my EP.

[Peddling]

Thank you all for your replies. I don't support the idea that my GP is necessarily behind the curve. I have been in sinus now for about 8 weeks and was symptom free when in persistent. Her logic is, if I can remain in sinus for a considerable time, why put myself through invasive surgery. She also spoke about the introduction and improvement of the various procedures. So, whilst not ruling out the possibility, I am inclined to wait a while.

I also support the ideas behind lifestyle and dietary changes. Whilst not a universal panacea, it has to be of benefit. Incidentally, orchard worker, there is an article in saturda's times referring to glycine as an aid to rejuvenating cells in the elderly. Headlined: cell discovery may hold the key to reversal of ageing. Sorry, not clever enough to provide the link. I think it was you who made reference to its benefits. Apologies if not.