9th Ablation

[Rubley]

Been back in permanent atrial tachycardia and arrhythmia for just over two weeks hopefully they'll have me back in NSR by teatime tomorrow.

This will be my 9th ablation, can anyone beat that?

[BobD Volunteer]

Ablation or cardioversion? I can't see many EPs doing 9 PVIs

[Rubley in reply to BobD]

Ablations Bob, definitely ablations. Wish me luck!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Rubley]

What were they for then? Flutter is easier obviously as the septum isn't pierced but PVI needs that transeptual breach and too many of those must cause some damage. My understanding is that the worst part for the EP is finding some femoral vein to access that isn't all scar tissue so he must be very brave. My three were all at Royal Brompton and they are a super crowd.

[Rubley in reply to BobD]

Bob I'm told I'm lucky (?) I have a very small hole in my heart which he can wiggle his way through this avoids the need to burn through each time. All done anyway and so far so good. I too love the Brompton, my anaesthetist today did some of my previous ablations at RBH and greeted me like an old friend.

[Hidden]

Where have you had the nine ablations? When did you have your first?

[Rubley]

About 10 years ago, all at the Brompton although I've been upgraded to Harley St for this one. I have also had 5 cardioversions and a pacemaker for the last 4 years. I'm actually looking forward to it as the last one got me back to normal for a few years, I hope this one will do at least that again.

[Japaholic]

First time I've heard of 9 being done.....

[jeanjeannie50]

I just don't understand why after my having just two ablations I was told I wouldn't be offered any more because of the extensive scarring in my heart. Yet I hear of others having loads. Wondering if I need to change EP's.

Do you go to your EP privately? I have always had to go on a waiting list for about 6 months while waiting for my procedures.

Hope all goes well for you.

[jennydog in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I have an EP who Bob rates very highly.

Discussing with him the possibility of needing a 2nd ablation if the first was unsuccessful, I mentioned that someone on this site had had 7. He looked absolutely appalled, shook his head and said "Too many."

I've been told that I can't have a second one. It'll be pace and ablate for me due to the scarring (radiotherapy damage)

[Rubley in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you, all done today. Yes I have had most privately although some emergency ones were NHS although all at the Brompton.

[Offcut]

After my third ablation they had a devil of a job to stop me bleeding because of the scarring! I have had 9 CV.

Be Well

[teach2learn]

I didn't think that was even possible because of all the scar tissue it causes, unless perhaps the earlier ones were unsuccessful because they were unable to identify enough areas to ablate. So sorry for your troubles!

[GolfMyrtleBeach]

I've had two - and was told by my EP that he had burned as much as he could burn. I imagine the number of ablations would be somewhat dependent on the extent of scarring for each one. Is it possible 2 - 6HR procedures could equate to 6 - 2H tries??? Also I am puzzled since I thought a pacemaker was sort of a last resort and would preclude more ablations. Not being challenging at all- - just trying to learn.

[Rubley in reply to GolfMyrtleBeach]

Hi, no challenge taken but I must admit I didn't realise I was going to get such contravertial responses. I assumed that 9 wasn't going to be that extreme and I'd just get a few "good wishes" and that would be that. I assumed some would have had far more than that but how wrong was I, from some of the comments I don't think most people even believe me.

I have a hole which gets the EP through to the left atria this reduces the level of burning. Not sure (nor qualified) that the length of procedure is relevant as I have been out for 5 hours on several occasions but because of my history they were waiting to see if it held. Today's was only about 2 hours.

My pacemaker wasnt a last resort, it was fitted due to 6 second pauses which seemed to start when I stopped having eptopics (no medical proof of this at all) it kicks in if I drop below 70 bpm.

I hope this all helps, keep well.

[Chris147]

Best wishes wishing you well for the future chris

[Rubley in reply to Chris147]

Thank you and to you.

[GregNdonette]

Hi, I have had 5 ablations and 2 cardioversions here in New Zealand in the last 10 months Been a bit stressful and sore at times but had an absolutely amazing team that looked after me. Suffered from flutter and fib and am now 8 weeks post my 5th ablation and am feeling good with no problems. Just mild episodes of ectopic beats which I am told is normal. I don't think I would go back for any more as I feel there has been enough stress on the heart. Would probably persevere with medication although I didn't have much luck earlier on with it. I think if given the chance of ablation take it, but wow!! 9 ablations must be some sort of record. Good luck in the future.

[Susiebelle]

Is it worth having a ablation if the outcome is not long lasting ?

Really it sure what to do

[Rubley in reply to Susiebelle]

The one thing clear from this site is "one size doesn't fit all". My AF got progressively worse and drugs may have delayed it but they never cured it, I probably tried six arrhythmia drugs and some of them scared me more than AF. My biggest issue in my treatment is that I wasn't referred back to an EP for my second ablation early enough, my first was for flutter a few years earlier. This meant the AF was very tricky to get and I had three ablations in four weeks and another three months later. After my last ablation I had 2 years in NSR and I hope for at least the same this time around. I have a great EP at the Brompton and he tells me he'll get it and I think he will. Good luck and good health!

[Susiebelle in reply to Rubley]

What is your EP's name ?

Thanks

[Susiebelle in reply to Rubley]

I am due ablation for atrial flutter in August and really u sure about ablation for atrial fibrillation yet everyone in here sort of raves about ablation for AF - will the flutter ablation make it more difficult for ablationtocorrect AF ?

Help

[Rubley in reply to Susiebelle]

In my case flutter was in my right atria and AF, tachycardia and other odd rhythms were in the right. I'm not sure if this was just me or common to all. I think flutter can disguise AF but I can't see how treating flutter would affect treating AF later. I read a lot of people on this site have found ablations difficult but in my experience the procedures are very straightforward and recovery is days not weeks or months. I'm already exercising again and back to normal. Please feel free to ask any other questions I can help with.

[Susiebelle in reply to Rubley]

Hi - my consultant has said that flutter and fibrillation are in opposite sides - so will have the flutter done and really not sure about fibrillation - though everyone on her songs it's praises even after many attempts - maybe you could shed some light on that ?

Many thanks

[Rubley in reply to Susiebelle]

In my case if I go into an Arhythmia I stay in it permanently and the only way out is cardioversion or ablation, the drugs don't work for me anymore. After my last ablation I had two years before needing another and hopefully I'll get at least that again if not more. Who knows. Apologies for taking so long to respond, busy week.

[Susiebelle in reply to Rubley]

The flutter is being dealt with first - i am now considering ablation for the fibrillation - ho hum - not easy deciding what to do - many thanks- Susie

[cbsrbpm]

I am really at a loss to understand the what is going on with these EP's with such differing approach to treatment. I recently saw a very good EP from Harefiel/Royal Brompton who was very patient and didn't rush me out of the consulting room but was only offered an ablation or to be cardioverted and put on Amioderone to keep me there. As I was very reluctant to take Amioderone knowing what a very toxic drug it is I opted for an ablation (9 month waiting list, unfortunately not in a position today for this privately). Cardiologist stated no more cardioversions as they would not hold although the one and only one I had lasted 4 months, which was bliss. Why are others given a number of cardioversions, I would have bitten his hand off for another, even for a few months respite. so it looks like persistent AF for me for at least 9 months.

B

[Rubley in reply to cbsrbpm]

Hi, when I see my EP next I'm going to ask him all of the questions that my post has raised, obviously he will only relate to my situation (which I now see is quite unique). Hopefully I can feedback some useful information to help where people were only allowed 1 or 2. Cardioversions never helped me but they tried (5 times) just to rule it out I suppose. I was taking ameioderone for a while intravenously at first, its a very powerful drug but very scary. I hope you keep well as you wait for your ablation and I hope the result is good for you.

[Susiebelle]

Thank you