Having Ablation March. I'm thing Anaesthetic

[Robyncarmen]

I'm going back to Cardiologist in March.

Going to have an Ablation it's all rather real now. Could I please have some feed back as

I woul like a General Anaesthetic. Is this the right way to go. ??????

[BobD Volunteer]

All my three were done under GA and I never got an option as that is what my EP prefers. It does mean an anaesthetist being available which may not always be teh case so bests to discuss when you see the EP. Frankly I wouldn't want sedation as I really don't mind what is done to me so long as I am not there. Others may have different ideas. GA does take a while to recover from but again to me that is no bad thing as it stops you overdoing things early in your recovery.

There probably is no right or wrong answer , just what you want.

Bob

[Robyncarmen in reply to BobD]

Oh Bob thank you for your input I will definitely take what your saving onboard as you've had an ablation. I don't think I could have it done whilst awake. I would be very nervous. I will let you know what the Cardiologist sais. I have been in AF for days this last few months that alone is making me think again about an Ablation.

[paulh1]

Just had one done. They knocked me out.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

I had general anesthesia and cannot imagine trying to keep still while someone is tromping around in my heart. It has to be so much easier for the EP to know that a patient who might move is one less worry, and so he/she can concentrate on ablating every last spot, and not be thinking about how much more the patient can tolerate.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had two ablations with sedation only, was awake of sorts but away with the fairies and not really aware of what was being done.

Jean

[dedeottie]

Same for me. I was dreading sedation but although the procedure lasted 5 hours i cant remember being awake very much at all. I was very quick to let them know early on that i could feel something and after that it is all a blur. However im still worried about my second one as i am a born worrier! X

[Hidden]

I've had both and would be hard-pressed which to choose if given a choice. Sedation only sounds scary but in fact I was given something to make me feel EXTREMELY relaxed and calm. Time flew by and I watched things happening on the monitors. Then I remember groaning when they started to "burn", and heard the word Morphine, then out for the count. I would have no problem if offered sedation again.

GA was simpler, you go to sleep and wake up.

Have a good one, mine was just brilliant, no AF and no drugs for years (except anti-coags).

Koll

[Rellim296]

Personally I would definitely prefer sedation to a GA. I think I was peacefully away the whole time on all three occasions and remember nothing. But here's the problem: they can include something that causes amnesia with the sedation and was I actually babbling away (hopefully incoherently) all the while and have completely forgotten about it?

[PeterWh]

Some EPs prefer sedation and some GAs and some flip between the two (not during a single procedure!!!) depending on what and where they are doing it and also the patient. As my EP put it he prefers sedation so he gets feedback!!!!!

I had sedation and my only regret is that I was out for the count too much as I would have liked to see more on the monitors.

[Hidden in reply to PeterWh]

The only feedback my EP got from me during sedation was Aaagh!!

....roughly translated as ' give me some more .........painkillers '.

[PeterWh in reply to Hidden]

He was asking me how it felt, etc. However that is so subjective especially as I know that I have a high pain threshold!!!

The latter being why I did mad things when younger like playing in goal in indoor hockey, squash, etc!!!

[24-04-1970]

I had an ablation on Tuesday was awake throughout didn't have pain in my chest but omg my groin was in bits hurt so much it's bleed a bit since it's black and blue and still very painfully and thursday had quite a lot of chest pain and still have so wish I could of been asleep and not awake it was the most scariest thing ever

[Hidden]

I would definitely recommend GA unless there is some medical contraindication

[Robyncarmen in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Lorna I really appreciate your input. Thank you

& there's no contra Indications.

Rob xx

[MarkS]

There is a connection between GA and long term mental fog and delirium. There was a Scientific American article about it:

scientificamerican.com/arti...

I prefer to avoid GA where I can, just going for sedation or even better, local. With my ablation I had sedation and it wasn't a problem.

However in any case I would go with what my EP recommended. They key to ablations is to maximise the success rate and that means going with whatever the EP is most comfortable with.

[IanB48]

Hi there. I had mine done under GA and was very relieved when the consultant told me as I didn't like the idea of knowing anything about the procedure. I found it fine though it did take a while to recover from the effects of the anaesthetic. Whatever you do, you will be in very safe, caring hands.

[hydrangea]

Hi

I had my ablation 3 weeks ago. I wanted a GA, but my EP had booked me for sedation. He said he could change it, but it would probably mean waiting 3 months. He said even with sedation I would be 'away with the fairies' and not to worry. I went ahead because I wanted to get it over with, and he was right - I was given the sedation and didn't know anything until I was back on the ward. I got the impression that as long as you tell the nurse who administers the sedative that you don't want to be conscious she can adjust the level to assure that. The EP said the added risks of having a GA were not warranted in this case.

I'm a real wimp, but I would have the sedation again.

Good luck with whichever you go for.

[MammaCass]

I had both my ablations under sedation, no pain, no discomfort, dipping in and out of conscieness, it's interesting to watch the big screen seeing what they're doing, very quick recovery. Good luck

[FrankC]

I had sedation aswell and was conscious for the whole 3 plus hours. I did feel some discomfort but was given the choice of more if I needed it. I wasn't given the option of GA, but I don't think I'd take it if offered next time. I recovered quickly and mine was successful so why would I?