Was ablation successful?

[greg1212]

Hi all, 5days since my ablation and have follow up clinic in May. Is that long enough for me to find out if it was successful or does it take longer and this is just an interim appointment to make sure so far so good?

My first post.

[Hidden]

My protocol here in US included wearing 60 day cardiac monitor, appts. at 3 and 6 months, continuing diltiazem and Xarelto, etc. Many people have intermittent rhythm irregularities, but hopefully not AF. You will see all sorts of post-ablation experiences reported here. I just take it one day at a time, extremely grateful for 7 mos. without an AF episode.

[tiredandconfused]

It can take up to a year to know if it was successful. It's called the blanking period. In that time you may or may not have done bouts of afib.

[Hidden]

Hi,

Unfortunately not. It takes up to 6 months for heart to fully heal. It's a time will tell situation. Don't worry if you have a few blips it is normal in the process.

Good luck

[Beta44]

I had cryoablation ablation 8 months ago and was taken off drugs at that time. Had a follow up at three months and was "signed off". No further treatment or appointments.

Peter

[davee in reply to Beta44]

I also had a cryoablation in December but was kept on my medication. The only thing is is that I have felt as bad if not worse than before the ablation. My question is, is this common? I certainly hope that something can be done because I'm starting to get a little bit worried now. My next visit to the EP is 15th March.

[Beta44 in reply to davee]

I'm sorry about that. I think that most 80%+ are successful. Hopefully you can raise your concerns with the EP in March.

Peter

[davee in reply to Beta44]

Thanks for that Peter, I truly hope I can get sorted and get back to some sort of semblance to the way I should be. Dave

[cdeterra in reply to davee]

Hi davee:

Would you define "bad if not worse?" I'm just wondering if you are having AF, or if you are still feeling the effects of the healing of your heart. It was more than 6 months before I felt "good," and even longer before I felt consistently good.

Everyone reacts differently, but I also had to go off of all medications because of side effects. Once those were completely out of my system I felt much better.

Cat

[davee in reply to cdeterra]

Hello Cat. When I said "as bad if not worse". Before the ablation I was getting lots of af attacks, but lasting longer, and stronger . Now though I get an attack, powerful enough to feel the beat on my head. In the past I would only know with ecg or BP monitor. I believe that af can lead to stroke and having 2xTIA in the past it adds to more worry. I was told by the EP that I have a chance that I may have to have another ablation done, so maybe I'm worrying too soon? Thanks cat x

[cdeterra in reply to davee]

I had those head banging episodes too. My EP originally told me that he thought I was just being hyper-vigilant and noticing every little thing, but I was put on a heart monitor at the hospital and they told me I was having episodes of tachycardia at those times. (Guess it wasn't just me!)

I was also warned about the potential for a followup ablation, but so far...so good. I had mine July 2014, and only had a few AF episodes right afterwards, and now...nothing.

You mentioned the TIAs...please tell me you are on a blood thinner? My EP and cardiologis took me off of Eliquis because of a bad bleeding episode, and so far I have not been able to get back on one.

[davee in reply to cdeterra]

Yes I take Dabigatran 110 twice a day,because I have also had 2 haemorrhages one in 1985 and another in 2013 after passing out in the street. The TIAs weren't too bad, the worse affected my balance and co ordination. Thanks for your concern though. Hope all goes well for you too. Davee. x

[PeterWh in reply to davee]

That is only two months!!!! It will take 3 to 6 months at least to settle down. Even after that you may get improvements. I can vouch for this.

[greg1212 in reply to PeterWh]

Thanks peterwh

[greg1212 in reply to Beta44]

Is that off the drugs as well?

[Beta44 in reply to greg1212]

I was taken off Flecainide and halved the Bisoprolol on the day of the ablation and gave up the rest of the Bisoprolol after the three month follow up.

[Dee1989]

I had my follow up on Friday which was 3 months since procedure is just a chat in the clinic to see how you have felt and now I have no further appointments!!

[CDreamer]

My experience was similar to Beta's, 3 month post ablation appointment with ECG and then signed off but with proviso of a 12 month check, if I wanted it - which I didn't, and come back if any problems and definitely come back at age 65 to discuss going back on anti-coagulants, I was 63 at time of ablation,

[sexymama]

Hi Greg

They normally wait for about 2 or 3 months so they can get a more definitive outcome, as the heart needs top settle down, 5 days is not long enough to find out if it has been successful.

[greg1212 in reply to sexymama]

Hi sexymama

Although it's only been five days since my ablation, it was whether the 3 months post ablation appointment would be enough time for a result.

Thanks anyway⏳

[Jason1971]

After my ablation at my 4 month appointment my EP thought it was highly likely I would need a second procedure. I'd had a couple of episode after 3 months, but by no means severe. I had read a lot about it can take a while for the heart to heal, but he was of the opinion I may require a touch up. A year later I am back on the waiting list for a 2nd procedure. Don't get me wrong there has been a massive improvement and When I was offered another I agreed. My EP is of the opinion after the touch up he thinks I have a very, very good chance of a prolonged period of no AF.

If I can offer any advice, I would say try not to worry too much about slight anomalies. Worrying about AF is worse than the damned episode 😊

[nopely in reply to Jason1971]

So true. 'Heart beats'....was that irregular or ectopic or did it beat normally and i just bumped my leg on the table

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Greg, it is disappointing that these things are not explained more fully, but it takes at least three months for the scar tissue from the burns to form , sometimes longer. It is these scars which block the rogue impulses so you see that you could still have some activity during that period.

Many people find that even when the AF is stopped they continue to get episodes of frequent ectopic beats which can be worrying to them. These are actually quite encouraging since it shows that the heart is trying to go into AF and failing. Most people have almost instant improvement in QOL (quality of life) which increases over time.

Hope that helps.

Bob

[greg1212 in reply to BobD]

Appreciate that Bob, it probably was explained but while I was still a little sedated. But it's nice to get it from the people that have been through it or volunteers like yourself. So basically give it time and let the body do its work.

Cheers bob

[AnticoagulateNow]

An ablation is surely successful if you no longer have an AF episode when you might have expected one prior to the procedure. How long you continue in the blessed AF free state is probably down to luck as much as anything else. For some folk it takes two or more procedures to get real long term relief from the condition - others just the one.

I've been AF free for nearly 9 months after my first ablation. Was it successful? You bet it was!

[greg1212 in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

Cheers, and good luck.

[KipperJohn]

I think this thread clearly demonstrates how different each patient's experiences are - how are bodies react to procedures, drugs and so on. The blanking period of 3-6 months seems pretty much the norm to determine how well it's going. I had 15 hours of AF within two days of my ablation and in the first 4 months 5 further episodes ranging from 1 -24 hours - the last culminating in a carduoversion. . The latter was nearly 3 months ago and I've been AF free for that time although not been monitored in any way. I am awaiting a 2nd ablation in about 2 months time.

I'm beginning to think now it may have worked - but tomorrow is another day.

I hope it goes well for you.

[greg1212 in reply to KipperJohn]

Ta kipperjohn, good luck to you.

[KipperJohn in reply to greg1212]

Thanks. Love and behold I went into AF 2 hours ago! No warning, no apparent trigger with my careful lifestyle which includes no caffeine or alcohol and very modest exercise and varied diet and precise with meds.

Ah well trip to the GP tomorrow if possible and if no return to sinus by then.

Take care.

[greg1212 in reply to KipperJohn]

Most of my bouts of AF were when sitting doing nothing, weird eh. Good luck mate.

[KipperJohn in reply to greg1212]

Yes - I was suing down on the sofa with laptop before going out for a family member's birthday meal! So missed that! Usually sitting down or in bed- it's never triggered when on the move!

Everyone says take it easy ...!

[greg1212 in reply to KipperJohn]

Well, take it easy mate, good luck with docs.

[Vony in reply to greg1212]

My episodes are also worse when lying in bed or sitting on low chairs. Vagal nerve triggered AF apparently

[Dodie117]

I had ablation in November 2013. I had AF episodes for 5 months after, gradually reducing. Then nothing. I have had a couple of very short episodes per year ( lasting 1 to 10 mins each) since then but my EP thinks not enough to need any treatment yet. I am very pleased with this outcome and will have another if it starts to impact on my qol.

[greg1212 in reply to Dodie117]

That's great to hear, good luck.

[checkmypulse]

4 weeks since Ablation no 1, In the last week I have had several bouts of AF, worse than before the procedure in that the heart rate goes to 130-160 (before 90-110) but so far bouts are shorter, 24-30 hours (before 30-72hours). Unfortunately had to visit A&E one time. So at moment feel worse than before Ablation! Interesting everyone's differing experiences.

My clinic appt is not till June. Heck. Onwards and upwards!!!!

[greg1212 in reply to checkmypulse]

Good luck, fingers crossed for you mate.

[Mike11]

My EP saw me an hour after my cryro-ablation and just gave me his email address and told me to email him if I had problems . Almost 2 years later I've still not used it.

[suzytoshoes in reply to Mike11]

Hi Mike, i go in for my Cryro-ablation on 16th of march hope mine will be Successful like yours how long does it take to have the Ablation? i am a bit nervous about it , Suzy

[Mike11 in reply to suzytoshoes]

It does vary depending on the EP and what they need to do, but mine took about 3.5 hours I think. I was not anethetised but so spaced out on the drugs they put in you I only remember small parts of it.

Don't be nervous about it - it's a life-changing event - for the better !!

[suzytoshoes in reply to Mike11]

Thank you i will try not to be, i will be glad to get it done,i seem to have been waiting for ages, but its not really, 4 months, cant wait to feel better than i do now,

[Mike11 in reply to suzytoshoes]

Good luck. AF is a horrible place to be and ablation is the best current fix for it.

[Swamps]

Post ablation I used a Bluetooth heart monitor and for the first 2 months was wishing I hadn't bothered. At rest my heart rate would vary minute to minute as low as 34 BPM up to 120 BPM for hours at a time. Now nearly 5 months later I just finished a 7 mile run at an average of 159 BPM with a good recovery down to 67 BPM all at good synus rythem and I'm starting to feel good about my fitness again. I really was wishing I'd left well alone in the first 2 months but now no medication. Apart from The odd bout of bradiacardia I am pretty much symptom free so give it time don't be afraid to do some excercise it the cardiologist says you can and with luck your hopefully on route to a new you

[greg1212 in reply to Swamps]

Thank a lot Swamps. And good luck for the future mate.

[abihel]

Hi I am going in on Monday for my 2nd ablation. I was AF free for around 4 months then the dreaded thing came back

I must stress though that even thoug I am in persistent AF it is not as bad as it was before my ablation....my quality of life is much improved so I am hoping this one will be my last and sort out whats left. xxx

Good luck

[RiderontheStorm]

I had a 30 day and have an upcoming 6 month check. I am TOTALLY AF free even through a horrible Pulmonary Blood clot (PE) that nearly killed me right after, the Ablation worked! My Dr gave me a 85% chance of working the first time for the rest of my life. I am 60 and no other health issues. Some are not so lucky. Much depends on your own health condition when it occurs. Best wishes getting your life back.