Ablation and blood clots

[Gwelos]

I have PAF and I take PIP which usually works in 2-4 hours.

I read in a post that if you have a successful ablation it doesnt always mean that you are not going to develop clots. My question is why have an ablation if that is the case. Look forward to replies

[Vony]

I think for quality of life and to improve symptoms if your arrythmias make you miserable or are disruptive and frequent an ablation is good? If it works!

[Gwelos in reply to Vony]

I think like Craggy I don't have many unpleasant physical symptoms just emotional and obsessive about it all. I have to decide if that's a good enough reason to have one. Thanks!

[Craggy]

You have raised a very relevant question. From what I have read, some people continue to take anticoagulants after an ablation. People also report mixed outcomes from ablations and many require more than one.

Perhaps it is a trade off. The more your symptons impact on your life then the more likely you will want to have an ablation. If, like me, you have relatively few symptons then you may decide not to have one.

One outcome I would want from an ablation is to be free of all tablets and pills but as you have highlighted, that will be unlikely.

[BobD Volunteer]

So you don't have the A fib any more. Simples!

[Therealsue]

I had an ablation so that I could live my life free of AF as it was becoming a real impact on my life. Taking an anticoag once a day is not a problem (I take rivaroxaban not warfarin, so no INR tests and no worries about diet).

[CDreamer]

Quality of life without AF.

[Brian101]

Hi Gwelos

The reason they keep you on anticoagulants after an ablation is you may go back into af - out of af your quality of life is heaps better but if you go back into af and it can happen all the clot risks are there - maybe they are being over cautious - I have had an ablation am af free am on warfarin and know my stroke risk is low - life is great

Brian

[Gwelos in reply to Brian101]

Thanks to you all for your replies, it makes me consider ablation from a different angle- it's good I feel more positive!😊

[Beta44]

Just because there is no evidence as yet that successful ablation reduces stroke risk that does not mean that it does not. Caution leads medics to suggest staying on anticoagulants until trials show that it is safe to do so. Mind you it is not in Pharmas interest to fund research to reduce drug usage so I am not sure if any is going on.

Peter