Ablation

[Acano96]

I am 19, a college student, and currently diagnosed with Atrial Tachycardia. It only affects 10% of people worldwide. I am having a cardiac ablation in November and was wonderi what i should expect before, during and after surgery?

[Zachary_rodway]

Hi, unfortunatley i have no experiance with ablation but i am wonder what the symptoms of atrial tachycardia are like? Im only a year older than you with a history of AF and recently ive been experiancing episode of extremley fast heart rates with normal rhythm.

They go away on their own so ive never had a doctor catch it, but basically it starts with extreme numbness in my chest and left arm and then my heart starts beating out of control for ~10 minuets. Is this similar to your symptoms?

[Acano96 in reply to Zachary_rodway]

Mine usually lasts for 8-10 hours. I've had my heart stopped 5 times.

[BobD Volunteer]

Please go to AF Association main website where you will find a fact sheet./booklet on ablation. Once you have read and understood that then I'm sure we can fill in any gaps.

Having had three I'm a great fan and consider it no big deal but others worry and fear it. The dentist worries me more!

Seriously it is a huge subject and unless I were to sit here for the next hour I'm sure I would miss a lot out.

By the way it is not surgery at all nor is it done in an operating theatre. It is a procedure done in a catheter laboratory. Only a very small entry hole and a few drips and stuff but many people have it under general anaesthetic or at least heavy sedation so you wont know much about it. Ablation means to cause not to exist so cardiac ablation is not a term I would use as you really need that cardiac thing. Pulmonary vein isolation is a better term or simply an ablation.

Enjoy your reading.

Bob

[mikeymike7]

The ablation offers you the best hope of getting your life back. Took me 5 years to make the decision and what a waste of precious time that was! The actual process came and went and it's taken me about 7 months to feel as if I've fully recovered.

[Eliza2 in reply to mikeymike7]

I just had my first ablation last week which went well after many weeks of fear and anxiety. Now I get periods of afib which I'm told is part of the healing process but still very anxious in trusting this is all part of the process. Also do I need both a cardiologist and an EP following me???

[mikeymike7 in reply to Eliza2]

I had lots of unusual happenings to start with and all slowly diminished over a six month period. The anxiety issue is a bugger, though - I am now only just realising that the ablation has worked even though I've only had two AF attacks in 8 months! Prior to this, I was in AF for more time than I was in NSR! Even if the AF does come back, the cryoablation was successful. I just need to start believing it!

I see my GP and EP only. General cardiologists just clouded the issue in my experience.

[Eliza2 in reply to mikeymike7]

Why do you say the ablation was a success if the afib episodes continue?? What I really do not understand is why the episodes as healing begins? I understand this happens normally but would like to understand the science behind it if anyone know or can point me in right direction. Thanks.......yes, the anxiety issue is the bugger and it only worsens anything happening.

[mikeymike7 in reply to Eliza2]

Prior to the ablation, I was in AF for up to 12 days continuously and at least 21 days every month, after the ablation, I have had 2 AF attacks in 8 months, both lasting less than two hours. This is success surely!

[Eliza2 in reply to mikeymike7]

That's great!

[Rellim296 in reply to Eliza2]

Complete freedom from AF may be the goal, but surely any improvement is a success?

If you think of ablation as removing pathways, you have to wait for the weeds to grow over before the route disappears.

I agree with mikeymike and stick with just EP and GP.

[Eliza2 in reply to Rellim296]

Good analogy!

[jimmysouthgates]

I had my first episode at 21 at uni, put it down to exam stress. Had radom bouts of it again until I turned 34 years old. Im now 35 and been put on a waiting list fot an ablation. 10% did u say......I keep think if im in that 10% I must be different so ive started doing the lottery too.....why not, if im special enough to have a af why cant I win the lottery lol. Another fact I read was 1 in 4 people over the age of 40 suffer from af bouts?.

[Dodie117]

Listen to BobD and read up on it. I had ablation for AF and although I was very anxious prior to the procedure it was actually very easy. I had a general anaesthetic and when I woke up was back in the ward. Much easier than going to the dentist. I had tea within 10 minutes and dinner an hour later. I had no issues afterwards.

My heart had a lot of odd rhythms for about 5 months but gradually reduced and now 2 years later no AF. I would have another if necessary.

Good luck with it 🍀

[Eliza2 in reply to Dodie117]

Hi yes this is the issue now after having the ablation last week which was really not bad at all....my terror before it was bad! You mentioned having the odd rhythms after....that's what is scaring me now. When do you know it's something to run to ER room about or dr? I'm so tired of being afraid!

[Dodie117 in reply to Eliza2]

If really worried you must phone your EP or his secretary or see your gp. For me I had a lot, quite prolonged and strong but as I was on anticoagulants I decided to wait and see. They gradually reduced and then disappeared.

[Acano96 in reply to Dodie117]

Where you hospitalized afterwards?

[Dodie117 in reply to Acano96]

Do you mean where did I have my ablation? St Thomas' hospital in London

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

You get the odd rhythm because the heart has been upset and it takes time to settle down and heal.

[Eliza2]

Thanks so much for your responses and support. Yes I'm understanding this now and see just how common and normal this is. Spoke to my EP today who also confirmed.

[Rellim296 in reply to Eliza2]

This is sounding more relaxed!

[Eliza2]

Yes! I'm working on it! Thanks

[PeterWh]

It will take time. It is 6 months tomorrow since I had my first ablation. I went back into persistent AF less than 72 after my ablation (I was told beforehand that in my case EP felt no chance it would work first time). Some of the after effects and symptoms that I have had at different stages over the last 6 months have come and gone. I am waiting for my second ablation.

[Eliza2]

Just had my first ablation last week. Was terrified. Built up the fear and stressed so much. I'm here to tell you all went well. You won't know what's going on and then it's over. No pain and all gain.