EP appointment 12 months post-ablation.

[jennydog]

As such this is not very interesting but I thought that there might be a few minor pointers to post-ablation care.

I had an ablation 12 months ago for classic AF. They found fibrosis in my left atrium which was possibly caused by radiotherapy to my shoulder. Since the ablation I have had some mild occasional episodes and I use 100 flecainide as a pill in the pocket.

I saw the EP's registrar.

He said there were 4 options to consider:-

1) I could continue as now with the p-i-p.

2) I could take 2x 50 flecainide daily.

3) Another ablation. I reminded him that the EP had said that this was not an option.

4) A pacemaker.

I said that I was anxious about this as I had oedema on my left shoulder area. He said that they could fit a pacemaker on my right side. I asked about the new pacemakers which look like an AAA battery and are injected into the ventricle via the groin. He said that they didn't fit many of those but one would not be suitable for me as I would need wiring to co-ordinate the ventricle with the atrium.

So we agreed option (1) for the time being and they will see me in 12 months "to keep me in the loop."

[Finvola]

Thank you for that, jennydog - I was wondering how you were in your first year. Hopefully, your episodes will continue to be mild and infrequent to the point of non-existence.

Best wishes,

[wpw62]

I too asked about the new 'USB' pacemaker but was told it was not suitable for me as I need two leads. hope option one keeps working for you.

[Hidden]

Don't know if this is a UK expression, but you can "punt" here, meaning stall on your decision month by month. If PIP works, great, if not you can go to daily flecainide. You can opt later for another ablation if the burden of AF episodes really impacts your quality of life. A pacemaker can be considered down the line. Who knows, maybe some sort of pacemaker specifically for AF will be invented?

[jennydog in reply to Hidden]

There were 5 of us in the waiting room at the hospital. 3 had pacemakers and were very happy with them. One lady had had 3 ablations and although she still has some AF she has decided that her heart has had enough trauma so she will eventually opt for a pacemaker rather than a 4th ablation.

One man, aged about 30, commented that pacemakers are now much smaller than the first one he had fitted over20 years ago. This rather squared with my thought that the longer I put off having a pacemaker, the more likely I am to benefit from new technology.

PS. Isn't it amazing to have conversations with AF sufferers from around the world on this site? It's a great way to exchange ideas/ news.

[PeterWh in reply to jennydog]

Nowadays it is inevitable that technology, in most areas, including medical ones, will move on year by year. You will never know when the optimal moment arrives. Some developments will have been minimal or no affect or results for some. For example TVs change year on year. If you started looking 20 years ago you will still be looking and waiting for that next better development / feature and would have been without one all those years!!!

You have to consider what improvements can you gain now and have a better quality of life!!!

[Rellim296]

I'm in much the same boat, so your four options are of interest. Ablation is an option and I have been on the waiting list for a third one since last November. I'm not too sure I wouldn't prefer to continue as I am. Life is so very much better than it was two years ago.