How many cardioconversions

[Salty0987]

Hi, had abalation in October and had conversion 2 weeks later. Now in aflutter and dr wants to do another conversion instead of abalation. How many conversions do they do before they go back for another abalation?

Thanks..

[PeterWh]

Some people have had over 10, but that is rare. Still within the 6 months healing period.

[squady in reply to PeterWh]

I hope they sort it out for you,my heart doctor has just recommended me for an oblation as the drugs are not working,it all seems so hit or miss to me,i have copd to make things worse.

how did your ablation go,peterwh says it is a six month healing period that's a long time in my books,i will have 4 or five chest infections in that period.

I think I should forget the ablation and grin and bear it

[Rellim296 in reply to squady]

There's a lot of negativity about ablations, squady - people saying they don't always work so I won't bother. It's a pity in my view because they are so often hugely beneficial and have a high success rate. Even if they do not 'work' in the sense that AF may not be eliminated, they can be partially successful, improving the situation significantly.

They do sound scary but most people find them very tolerable. It takes 6 months or longer for the healing process to take full effect, but that doesn't mean 6 months of feeling below par. Many walk out the following day (or even the same day) feeling pretty good, although you need to take it easy for the first couple of weeks.

[PeterWh in reply to Rellim296]

For squad y'all benefit Relim is 100% correct.

I had an ablation but went back into persistent AF less than 72 hours later. Going back into AF was almost 100% certain, the question was how long I stayed in NSR. However a number of my symptoms are better now than before the ablation. I am waiting for ablation no 2. No regrets having number 1 in fact those 70 hours gave me real hope as I felt so much bett than before the ablation even though I still was in the very early recovery period.

Also look at another way. If you don't start by having the first there is no chance of it working!! It's like riding a bike. If you never get on the bike for the first time and fall off you can never move forward and ride the bike.

[squady in reply to Rellim296]

thanks for the reply you make a lot of sense I will have t go for it and hope for the best

[BobD Volunteer]

Pay attention at the back there Squady she knows what she is talking about.

[Annaelizabeth in reply to BobD]

That sounds like an ex-serviceman, or too many Dad's Army!?

[squady in reply to Annaelizabeth]

hi its not the latter, you soon picked up on it

[squady in reply to BobD]

cheers bobd good advice from this site ive been away from it a long time

[Rellim296]

Hi there Salty. It's worth remembering that sometimes people have several cardioversions all at one time - it works and then the heart goes back into AF so they try again.

Some never need a cardioversion before an ablation because they revert to normal rhythm spontaneously.

[KipperJohn]

I usually revert of my own accord - no idea why - but have had one ablation last July and a cardioversion in November. Last episode was 3 weeks ago lasted 38 hours then I reverted whilst asleep. I am pencilled in for another ablation by my EP in May after I come back from Australa. I was offered it and took it because I don't believe drug therapy in my case is sufficient to improve PAF in the long term - probably a combination of the two and I want to get it done whilst still active and under 70! This time it will be under a general so not much to worry about.

I'm not qualified to give advice but I am personally going to continue down the ablation route.

[cbsrbpm]

I am so confused by the whole thing, we all have a different story to tell. The ablation worked for me for 4 months apart from one short 25minute episode which resolved itself. I have now been diagnosed with heart failure and very breathless with lots of weird beats and ectopics, I am 69. Now I don't know if this is because of the ablation or if it was going to happen anyway. Many people on hear have lots of encouraging stories so obviously works for lots and lots of people. I think you need to be fully informed and talk to all concerned I.e. Your doctor, your EP, your cardiologist and take on board all their advice. I also feel our expectation of an AF free life makes us doubly disappointed if things don't work. I wish you well in whatever decision you make. Please don't read this as a negative post I just think we have to look at the whole picture.

B🐝

[Duggie]

Hi. Was your first ablation for atrial fibrillation ? I had ablation in January 2015 , all was fine till October when I got atrial flutter . Each time I got it I went to a&e and was cardioverted back to normal. It got to the stage I was going back every week. On my last visit I asked how many times I could be cardioverted and was told as many times as it takes. Cardioversion puts you back to normal but you should have your name on a list for a second ablation to deal with the flutter.

I get my second in 2 weeks. This ablation apparently has a 100 per cent success rate. Fibrillation affects one chamber of the heart whilst flutter affects another. Don't know how the flutter affects you but with me it produces intense chest pain resulting in a&e visit and Cardioversion. I had 7 cardioversions between November past and 2 weeks ago. I am on apixaban anticoagulant which allows me to get Cardioversion as soon as I jump into flutter . The first ablation for me worked a treat and has prevented further fibrillation. Once the flutter is dealt with I should be ok . For my experiences I would definately recommend ablation.

[Salty0987 in reply to Duggie]

Very informative. My abalation was for AF and when he got through he said there was still a flutter and they put me on amiodrone which I had to stop 2 weeks ago. After stopping that I have gone in and out of flutter. I am glad to hear that another abalation will help that flutter. Since I go in and out of flutter I don't understand how they can plan the conversion. I am waiting for a call from the dr. Thanks for your reply.

[Duggie in reply to Salty0987]

Get into the hands of your local hospital cardiologist. If you are in and out of flutter you won't get a Cardioversion. Its for when you are in AF and it bumps you back to normal . It's likely you should get offered an ablation For the flutter. All the best

[abihel in reply to Salty0987]

I have just had my 2nd ablation and I have been put on amiodrone...I'm not very comfortable having to take it...why did you stop taiking it?? I am going back in 3 weeks for a cardio-version. xx

[Salty0987 in reply to abihel]

Hi, after my abalation I was put on amioadrone. Dr. Said for only 6 weeks but they kept me on for 4 months but cut the dose from 400mg a day to 100 mg. after 3 months my eyesight went totally blurry. Went to the eye dr to see if amioadrone was causing this. The eye dr said this drug was beginning to take my eyesight but I caught it in time and got off the drug. Without the drug I am having palpatations again which is upsetting. Waiting for dr to tell me what to do next. Don't let this scare you because all drugs have side effects. Just be aware of what they are and be aware of what is happening to your body.

Are you glad you had your 2nd abalation and why would you need another cardioconversion. Do you have afib or flutter?

[abihel]

After my first ablation I felt wonderful but they did cardiovert me at the same time and I had instant relieve...however after, 4 months I went back into Af. I went for the second ablation to try and sort were the rogue signals but this time the procedure has changed and instead of cardioverting straight away you go back a month later for the cardioversion. After my second I'll be honest with I felt worse but I think that's because I'm not in sinus rhythm and I have been told to amiodarone for a while. xxx

[abihel in reply to abihel]

I have AF and flutter...although flutter is much better...my resting heart rate is 116 today going up and down (as it does) but never under 100BPM

[jedimasterlincoln]

I had 5 DC cardioversions in 5 months back in 2013, they were the only thing to revert me back from AF to NSR..... they were about 3/4 weeks apart and no change in medications would stop the AF coming on. I was/am quite bad with it, washed out low BP and spaced out would be the only way I could describe it.

I had a further cardioversion in October 2014 after my ablation July 2013 failed... and have just had another cardioversion (number 7) some 15 months after my previous ablation and 9 months after I was formally discharged.

Maybe it's time for a 3rd ablation, I remember being told it can take on average 2 and a half ablations to "fix" and I've done well to go over a year without any symptoms at all? The cardioversions stopped being scary (for me at least) after the first 3..... primarily because I feel like poop and know I'll feel so much better (besides sore and aching and drugged up for the first few days) after.