Stroke risk

[Cclegg]

Is the risk of stroke reduced following a successful ablation? My consultant seemed to think not! One would assume if AF settled then risks reduced, am I totally wrong?

[CDreamer]

My EP says that recent studies in US show that people who have had successful ablations AND did not have any AF episodes for a period of 12 months show that stroke risk does reduce but stressed that these people were monitored 24/7 and that the data, although very convincing, is not 'gold standard' and therefore will not be taken as advisory for the UK. I am not taking ACs and he is happy to go with me for that, but stressed that I must continually monitor which I do with my AliveCor (Kardia is the new name).

I think you will find a difference of views and opinions amongst patients and doctors, the reality is that there is no definitive data so it will always be a risk/benefit assessment.

[Cclegg in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for that! I had an ablation 4 years ago and was symptom free! AF back although Flecainide is helping. Booked for a repeat ablation in a couple of weeks but quite scared about going through with it as I am generally quite fit and active! Watch this space lol!!

[BobD Volunteer]

The general consensus amongst Top EPs is that successful ablation does not reduce the risks of stroke. The AF and subsequent ablation cause surface changes within the atrium which can induce blood pooling and allow clots to form. At present there is no solid evidence to suggest that ablation has anything other than life style benefits.

It would be nice if it were otherwise but I for one stay on anticoagulation for life despite no AF.

[Perrylees]

I find this very interesting as I was definitely anticipating a stop to my anti-coagulation drugs (apixaban) sometime in the near future - 6 months post ablation all being well. My EP obviously takes a different view to others as he is the one who mentioned it!

I suppose this is another example of inexact science/risk/CHADSVAC where everybody is different...

As a relatively young person with no other health issues perhaps his view is that my risk will be low enough to go drug free whereas with others it may not be so simple?

Ruth

[Hidden]

I had a successful ablation, no AF for 8 years, but my EP has had me anti-coagulated throughout. So he thinks the risk is still there in my case at least.

[checkmypulse]

Ep advises that as Ablation is a new procedure (in medical terms or years) there is no indication or studies that yet indicate that the stroke risk is reduced following procedure.

[barbara2]

A friend of a friend stopped taking anti-coagulant's after an ablation. He did then, have a stroke, so is dealing with that now.

[Annekw]

I suggest you check the Nice Guidelines,I think from memory they advise continued anticoagulation.