Ablation Done & Dusted.

[Bollox2AF]

Had my ablation on Tuesday in the Golden Jubilee in Clydebank nr Glasgow. EP explained before procedure he would prefer a local anasthetic..ok lets go for it. Must admit at times it was a bit uncomfortable,but as I was in sinus rythmn he reckoned that was the best option..After the procedure he came to see me,he said I had Atrial Flutter which was possibly causing a bit of AFib..he said he had burnt a"roundabout" in my heart,this should block any further flutter,in fact it has a 95% success rate,so he said laughingly I won't see him again...Unless I take another arrythmia he added..he said I can stop the dgoxin right away and in the next few months come off the bispropolol I asked about the warfarin,as my score was 1 ..he said it's a grey area and personal choice,especially when you have no history of heart trouble,it's up to you he said...personally I think I will stay on warfarin..he also told me about my condition AFlutter...he said anti arrthymic drugs don't really work on Aflutter,in fact sometimes they can make you feel worse...well when I think back,that was the scenario in my case..Anyway that's my story so far on my AF journey,thanks to all my friends on this forum,you really are marvellous.....Thanks..Terry..

[Hidden]

Well done you - that's what I like to read .... a touch of bollox2AF + ablation = success! Only way to go Terry! Only way to go. Lol! Good luck.

[Leetessa]

I'm in a similar situation. Doctors thought my flutter caused my a fib and I had the ablation 2 weeks ago.  People in hospital kept asking me if this was my first ablation and I kept saying it was my only....one and done became the motto in the procedure room.  Hope all goes well for a speedy recovery for you.

[porridgequeen]

Great news. Great post.  Hope all goes well for you from now on.

[Alan_G]

That's really good to hear. I like hearing about success stories with ablation. I do have a couple of questions though. My EP, when I went for a consultation, said he induces the AF before doing the ablation so he knows where it is. You have insinuated you were in sinus rhythm when you had it done. Is that normal?

I'm not sure why one would stay on anti-coags after a successful ablation unless it's just a precaution that there could still be some residual arrythmia or flutter later.

[checkmypulse in reply to Alan_G]

It's best to stay on anti-coags after procedure as there is still a risk of stroke. Especially if one falls into the Chadsvasc score of one and above. The 'activity' which causes Afib is still 'there',  just that the heart doesn't respond to it (if successful). So there is still a risk of clotting.

[Alan_G in reply to checkmypulse]

But I thought it was the irregularity of the beat that caused the build up of blood, and therefore subsequent risk of clotting. If the heart is now beating in a sinus rhythm does not the blood move properly and not collect in the heart's chambers? I appreciate this could be just a lack of understanding on my part of the mechanics of this.

[checkmypulse in reply to Alan_G]

I was informed by EP that even after a successful ablation some people can go into very short Afib events that aren't symptomatic and also if there is a condition that may have triggered A-Fib, like hypertension, sleep apnea, obesity, etc. and it's not taken care of, it’s possible Afib could reoccur.  To me it's a no brainer, keep taking the tablets!

[abihel]

So pleased you got that over with....I've had two ablation and there not very pleasant are they...I'm going in for my 4th cardio-version on Monday so fingers crossed I stay NSR this time!!

xxx 

[Alan_G]

So am I correct in assuming it is a precaution, but if you've had a successful ablation you will be able to come off the anti-coags at some point in the future?

[Bollox2AF]

I asked the nurse at the pre-op consultation last Friday would they induce flutter with medication she said no....and if you are in sinus rythmn it will be a local anasthetic as this puts less pressure on the heart,funnily enough my INR was 1.9 she said they like it above 2 regarding the stroke risk,she consulted the cardiologist,he gave the go ahead..on the day I asked about my INR he replied in sinus rhythm with flutter,you are at the same risk as the general population regarding the stroke risk,which is roughly about 0.3%...but personally I will be staying on Warfarin even tho I'm 1 on the Chad score...feel more comfortable on it than off it...Thanks to everyone who replied Terry