Ablation

[jimmysouthgates]

I have been referred for my first ablation. When they are undertaking the procedure do they actively look for various sites of activity or is it a pulmonary vein effort only??

[BobD Volunteer]

That depends on if you are having cryo or RF. With Cryo they can only ablate the areas around the four pulmonary veins with the balloon but of course these areas are usually better ablated as the balloon gives a greater coverage. With RF the coverage rather than being a round ring is a series of dots but then they can also cover other areas which they might discover firing off.

You pays your money and you takes pour pick.

Read the new AF Association book on ablation for more details.

Bob

[Barry24 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob,

I have just checked the AFA to look for this new book on ablation, as far as I see the old book is still there (review date Sep 14).

Kind Regards

Barry

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Barry24]

Sorry Barry, I did a lot of work on it, combining four publications in January/February but it had to go off for approval by the medical team. I understood it was ready as I'm sure that Vicki put a post up recently about it. Why not ring the helpline?

[Barry24 in reply to BobD]

Dear Bob,

Many thanks, will speak to Vicki next week.

See you on the 4 Oct.

Best Wishes

Barry

[PeterWh in reply to Barry24]

The AFA post of about 2 weeks ago said to email if you wanted AFA to send it out to you when available (email Vicky). The new Arrhythmia Alliance booklet is available now.

[Barry24 in reply to PeterWh]

Dear Peter,

Many thanks

Kind Regards

Barry

[Steve2810]

Also i have no idea what they going to look for? They havent really told me much just told me theres a long waiting list for operation about 4 months they said, rung em yesterday and they said it was scheduled approx for begining of november and to take a look on Internet afa.org.uk and read up about catheter ablation. Said they wouldprobably have to keep me in a couple of nights after op too? Did they say same to you? They said they was going to go in through a vein in my groin and they was going to make burns in my heart around the bad part of it. Thats all i know, not really sure what to ask? My heart is all over the place at the moment typing this i can feel it shuddering and shaking on the top right side of my heart i bet thats the part they try to mend?

[Steve2810]

Go on youtube and in the search type in catheter ablation - treatment for atrial fibrillation it really gave me a good understanding of the operation...

[BobD Volunteer]

Read the booklet from AFA about ablation as it covers all aspects and treatments. By the way it is a procedure not an operation. It takes place in a catheter lab not an operating theatre. There are two normally basic types. cryo where they use a freezing balloon to isolate the four pulmonary veins and RF or radio frequency where they use heat to make the burns. Both types use a catheter inserted into a vein , usually in your groin. Laser can also be used but this is very new and finally surgical which is more invasive and less used although there are trial with a composite method using both surgical and RF. All is very well explained in the book.

Bob.

[DavDug]

Jimmysouthgates.

They will not know until they get in there what they will meet. They usually have some plan of action but it depends what's firing off at the time. I am sure you will be just fine and do not be afraid to ask any questions. Only two oblations myself but they are all very friendly (LGI - Leeds) and helpful. Just great in fact! I got feedback from the Electrophysiologist just after and they 'kicked' me out next morning after an ECG/BP/O2 check. A long wait for a short procedure for you but very worth it in the end. Get Well.

Dave.

[Runcrans]

Hi Jimmy , I had a Pvi ablation in July they did the pulmonary veins but I still went into af has they were pulling the equipment out so they then did a roof line ,when I woke up the ep said he thinks I will need another touch up but this time they will map it which I think means they go looking for the rogue signals , I was under for 6 hrs the first time so think they'd had enough by this time lol ,all the best Paul