cryoablation

[Choroba13]

My EP suggested to go ahead with cryoablation if another medication (Tykosin )would not eliminate my AF. This would be my first ablation. Did anybody have a cryoablation?

[suzytoshoes]

Hi I am on the List for Cryoblation, not heard anymore yet!

Suzy

[mikeymike7]

Yep! Last January at the Oxford Heart Centre under sedation, but I don't remember too much as I was out for the count. They used an Arctic Front cryoballoon... see extract below

The Arctic Front cryoballoon provides a straightforward and efficient approach for isolating the pulmonary veins in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Arctic Front creates circumferential lesions, using 2-3 applications per vein to achieve PVI isolation

Arctic Front does not require 3D mapping, reducing procedural complexity

Short, predictable procedure times allow you to treat more patients

A Proven Approach to PVI

The North American Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (STOP AF) trial, a 26-center randomized, controlled study, confirmed the safety and efficacy of Arctic Front. 69.9% of patients achieved treatment success at 12 months.

The Arctic Front system uses cryo energy which offers a number of unique safety features:

Cryoadhesion improves contact and stability, minimizing the amount of fluoro used

Preserves the extracellular matrix and endothelial integrity

Decreases risk of thrombus formation

Demonstrates well demarcated lesions

A Safe Approach to PVI

Clinical studies report no incidence of atrial-esophageal fistulas or perforation

Low reported occurrence of left atrial tachycardia post procedure

Cryoablation procedure event rate in the STOP AF pivotal study was a low 3.1%

Hope this helps!

Forgot to mention, apart from two AF events early on, each lasting less than two hours, I have been AF free for a year. Prior to the procedure, I was in AF for up to 10 days at a time for at least 21 days out of every 28! Vast improvement!

Still get sets of ectopic runs just as a reminder though! Keeps me on my toes!!

[davee in reply to mikeymike7]

Thanks for that, I was thinking that the cryoablation I had in December hadn't been successful as I also have had 3 attacks since. I have also had several attacks of PVC's. I suppose that means I have been worrying over nothing.

Davee

[PeterWh in reply to mikeymike7]

Great that the % success rate is after a period of time that is actually specified and personally I think that a year is a very good time (aka duration) to measure over rather than a few days or a few weeks (which obviously has a higher success Rae!!).

[PeterWh in reply to PeterWh]

Rate not Rae (missed auto spell check change!!!!).

[AlanAF]

Hi - I am having one at Liverpool on 2nd March. I did my own research and saw an EP privately to speed things up (op still on NHS though). Though not the perfect solution, it's the best option for me. I have (so far) avoided the stronger medication, just being on beta blockers and warfarin. Having said that, if the meds work for you, there are people on this forum who have been on them for years and been OK.

If you look around here, there are some people who have just had their ablation posting how they are getting on. A few days ago someone posted who had had hers 6 months ago and was coming off all medication. So it seems to be overwhelmingly good news stories, fortunately.

Best wishes

Alan

[Lorna058]

I had a cryoablation at Broad Green at the end of October last year. It was much easier than I expected and has so far been a total success. I am 71 yrs old and feeling great. Good luck with yours.

[paulh1]

Just had one on January 28th. The procedure itself went ok. Haven't been back to my routine to find it about the Afib though due to complications from removing sheaths from my leg afterwards. Looking forward to getting back in the pool and on my bike. The EP did tell me to start off SLOW. Hopefully I will be off all my meds other than my anticoagulants in 3 to 6 months. The procedure in the UK for Cryo abalation sounds different from the one I had. I guess it depends on who is doing the procedure and what they are trained for and comfortable with

[Beta44]

Cryoablation 7 months ago off Flecainide immediately and Bisoprolol after 3 months. Total success.

Peter