Flutter Procedure

[jondeanp]

Well, Ive just been to see the cardiologist today and discussed my current wobbles.

From the ECG he said that i am currently in Flutter although last time i was cardioverted a few months ago i was in Fibrillation.

Ive never really understood the difference, but he got his biro and the back of a piece of paper out and drew what was going on in the two scenarios.

Since returning home i had a quick nose on this forum and straight away it looks like may have got my left & right mixed up. On the docs drawing he referred to flutter being in the left atrium (as i was looking at it), but this differs from comments I've seen here on the forum. I just hope he gets it right on the day of the procedure.

What i thought afterwards was why can't the consultant's have printed copies of Arrhythmia that they can scribble on and give us to take home. Maybe other consultants do?

Anyway the upshot is i was offered both procedures in one hit to address flutter & fibrillation, but after considering i have elected to just have the flutter procedure initially and then see how things go with any further fibrillation. Fingers crossed again

Ive added my own brief version of the sketch that the consultant drew. A few details are missing but as i may have suggested, once you exit the consultants room all those minor details and success rates etc "flutter" away from your memory

Any thoughts?

[BobD Volunteer]

You are looking at your heart from outside. Stand behind it as if it were in your chest and left becomes right. Simples!

My only thoughts are why take two risks when you can take one and maybe get it all sorted first time round?

Look at the ablation booklet on AF Association website for details.

[Lizty in reply to BobD]

Clever old Bob!! What would we do without you?

[pottypete1]

I had both done at the same visit to the cath lab last week.

Whilst ablation for AF was being carried out they identified Atrial Flutter and dealt with it there and then.

If it was me I would get both done If you have AF you have AF and if you have flutter then you have flutter. Why put yourself through all the stress twice?

Atrial Flutter is in the Right Atrium Atrial Fibrillation is in the Left Atrium.

Pete

[PeterWh in reply to pottypete1]

Pete

I think you meant to say "Atrial Flutter is in the Right Atrium and Atrial Fibrillation is in the Left Atrium"

You can edit your script!!!

[pottypete1 in reply to PeterWh]

Sorry so easy to do a typo is it OK now Peter

[gillyflower13 in reply to PeterWh]

Hi im always in and out of hospital with af (im 80) you would think that i would know quite alot about this annoying heart ptoblem. I DO NOT!!!!!!I IS

[PeterWh]

My thoughts are aligned with Bob's. If it were me I would definitely get both done at they same time.

A lot of the time that someone is on the table is actually spend doing all the preparatory work before actually getting the catheter into the heart. So the scans and pre-checks, the sedation or the anaesthetic, the entering of the vein in the groin to insert the catheter, the threading of the catheter up into the heart into the right atrium are all common whichever procedure you have. Then at the end of the procedure the withdrawal, stopping up of the puncture point, the 4 hours or so resting are again all identical as is much of the recovery time.

The "add on" or extra for the ablation is moving the catheter through the septum into the left atrium. This is I believe only a very minor increase in the risks (which are actually in reality very small anyway).

From the knowledge that I have gained if the flutter is eliminated the fibrillation will not be reduced, but you need to check this out.

Don't forget that AF begets AF and that over time it will get worse but no one knows the time. I can tell you that in my case from when I was diagnosed just under 2 years ago to now there has been a very significant deterioration in what I can do and the quality of life. Another thing is that it is on offer now but either that offer may not be there in a year or two or else at that point something in your health prevents the procedure from being undertaken. Also if you have AF that may preclude you from having other operations (you have seen BobD's comments about the fact that he would probably not have been able to have his prostrate cancer operation if he had been in AF.

At the end of the day the decision is yours but I just wanted to pint out a number fo pitfalls / non logic as I see it.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to PeterWh]

I agree with Peter and Bob.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to PeterWh]

I agree with Peter and Bob and would have both done at the same time.

[pottypete1]

I totally agree with Peter!

[jondeanp]

Thanks guys. I must admit there does feel like pressure to make a decision in a short space of time.

I certainly spend more time researching when buying a new toaster, than having an operation on my heart

I will consider this more, and maybe contact my consultant if i change my mind

Thanks

Jon

[PeterWh in reply to jondeanp]

LOL

[pottypete1]

Have you got a date for the procedure?

Not sure you should feel pressurised I think you should talk in more detail with your consultant to be reassured.

This time go prepared with a list of questions preferably typed in minimum 16 Font and take your time and don't be rushed. The same applies next time you buy a toaster!

On my first ablation 7 years ago they too decided to treat just the flutter. I subsequently have had to have 4 Atrial Fibrillation ablations.

Whilst I think someone said in a post recently that they found it easier than a root canal filling if I were in your shoes I would accept the double ablation that has been offered as personally each time I found it more difficult and stressful .

Pete

[Gracey23]

I agree with others on forum. I had an ablation for flutter three years which wAs successful. I am now scheduled to have a Cryoablation for AFib. I really wish I would have done both at same time. All the nerves are preparation all over again! Best health to you, Gracey

[Cookie24]

I have atypical flutter and it is in the left atrium.

[jobristol]

I agree with all the above! I had a flutter ablation in 2017, there was no AF at the time but was told there probably would be in the future! There was, it started in August last year, just had AF ablation last Thursday. If I’d had both going on at same time I’d definitely have had them both done together, save you having to go through all the stress before and recovery twice!

[jondeanp in reply to jobristol]

jobristol, this post has come to life 'cos someone else posted on it earlier. For info i elected to have just the Flutter ablation (Feb '18)

I've been in NSR since apart from the odd ectopic, and back doing the things i was before. I know there is no guarantee that something might rear its ugly head in future but for now all is well.

🤞