Cardiac Ablation

[angelkisses50]

I had a cardiac ablation last July 2015 after having A-Fib 40+ years. I now pop into A-Fib every two months. My cardiologist says if it starts to happen more often, he will repeat the procedure. Has anyone else had this done twice and did that work?

[Thomps95]

I think it is common to have ablation done more than once - particularly if your condition is chronic to begin with. I gather it can take about a year before the heart settles so this might just be part of the long recovery period. I don't know your situation, but some would advise that if the AFib episodes do not disappear after a year (i.e., no AFib at all), then it would be reasonable to ask for a second procedure.

[paulalex1313 in reply to Thomps95]

I agree with that. I have had three ablation procedures and three years after the last one I am still taking Flecainide, which is mostly holding attacks at bay. I had a period of having ectopic beats, plus one short but unpleasant AF attack, about 9 months ago and my new consultant increased my Flecainide dose from 2 x 50mg to 2 x 100mg per day. This seemed to have worked well until yesterday, when I experienced ectopics again. This probably happened because I am due to see my consultant for my regular 6 monthly clinic check on Wednesday, just to give me something to talk about to him. Constant ectopics make me feel a bit tired, but I can still function. I am still experiencing ectopics now, but I will be off to the gym shortly for a more gentle workout than normal.

[Julie23]

Hi there I have just had my second one in January going to reduce medication in April to see if it's worked I must admit I don't think it's worked as I feel my heart racing all the time now so not sure till April as when I take my medication but I have been told by my doctor that's this will be my last time if it does not work this time they will be fitting me a pacemaker, but everyone is different so don't let this put you off I had 14 hospital admissions last year with A/F so I think I'm a worst case they have got I might be wrong though, I have found though this time round I felt very chesty after, but you must understand your heart needs lots of time to recover from any procedure so take care.

[BobD Volunteer]

Ablation should always be considered part of ongoing treatment and often requires multiple procedures. I had three before it stopped my AF and six plus years down the line I still don't have it although I do have other less troublesome arrhythmias but take no medication for them.

Being pedantic here "to ablate" means to cause not to exist so a cardiac ablation would be somewhat terminal. Better to refer to it just as an ablation or Pulmonary vein isolation procedure.

Bob

[Annaelizabeth]

I have had two and am about to go in for my third. So if you are offered a second bite, I would definitely take it up. For me personally both worked for just over a year before slowly creeping back. I also have an artificial heart valve which lessens my chances of success, but also a cautious EP! So I am hoping third time will be lucky.

[seasider18 in reply to Annaelizabeth]

Do you have a tissue or a mechanical valve?

[Annaelizabeth in reply to seasider18]

Mechanical, at 44 years old I was deemed too young to have a tissue valve as they generally only last for 10 years or so. The drawback is that I am on permanent warfarin, which I have to say has never bothered me.

[seasider18 in reply to Annaelizabeth]

I had a tissue valve fitted four years ago when I was 77 so that should see me out.

It is now thought that they should last for twenty years or more.

[Annaelizabeth in reply to seasider18]

And so will you!

[seasider18 in reply to Annaelizabeth]

My ambition is to be 102 and die after leading my Grand National winner into the winners enclosure.

Just got to find a cheap Wonder Horse that does not get AF

 

[Pbow]

I have a long history of PAF and eventually had four ablation procedures, the most recent in October 2014. The last one was successful and I have been free of AF since then. I have stopped all anti-arrhythmics, but remain on warfarin.

[Dodie117]

I had mine in Nov 2013 and largely AF free although I have had about 3 very short episodes in the last 12 months lasting a few minutes. My EP and I agree that I need to monitor but does not warrant a further ablation at this time. I take no meds since the day of my ablation except apixaban.

[Kenton]

First: 2009. Second: 4/2014 Third: 6/2014. Now NSR, no Sotalol and strong like bull.

[GregNdonette]

Just coming up 12 months since my last ablation ( had 5 now ) and have had no problem with AF in that time. Had the odd small eptopic periods but has taken the full 12 months for my heart to settle. On no medications now either. Sounds like you will definitely need another ablation.

[angelkisses50 in reply to GregNdonette]

Well if I have to have 5 to get rid of this, then I am game!! At least it is not a painful procedure. Did you have a lot of pvc's after your ablations? I had them for months before they went away. I am disappointed it didn't get rid of the whole thing but he told me it might not.

[GregNdonette]

No my heart has been excellent after last ablation (touch wood). My five ablations were all within a 10 month period, which is very surprising. Sounds like they do things different here in New Zealand. Had an absolutely brilliant EP/cardiologist. I would say that there would not be too many people that do not have to go back for a second attempt. Good Luck to getting better as I know how disturbing AF can be.

[angelkisses50 in reply to GregNdonette]

Thank you so much, and I hope you have had your last ablation too.. :o)

[Annaelizabeth in reply to GregNdonette]

Are you in Aukland?

[angelkisses50 in reply to Annaelizabeth]

I am in Oregon...USA

[GregNdonette]

I am in a small town south of Christchurch in New Zealand. All my work has been done in Christchurch. Greg.

[seasider18 in reply to GregNdonette]

Imagine if you had been having the ablation when the earthquake struck.

[GregNdonette in reply to seasider18]

Christchurch Hospital feared very well during the earthquakes and I managed to avoid any shakes while I was there. They are still getting small quakes there now. I guess if the hospital had started shaking too severely while I was there I would have been out of there like a cut cat with chords and tubes dangling probably not running a straight line.

[seasider18 in reply to GregNdonette]

Two of my neighbours landed in Christchurch that day and were evacuated.

We were once in Malta when they had a quake in Sicily and my bed rocked and bits fell off our hotel that was the tallest on the island. My wife slept through it denying me the chance of asking if the earth had moved for her as well.

[lms0006]

Have had three worked for awhile but AF returned.