This is my first post, and this is my story which I will try to keep short.
I am a 70 year old man who retired at 64 and after a cycle race up hill against my young son I experienced my first bout of AF . I was discharged from hospital on 5mg of Bisoprolo. My AF was severe and each episode I was hospitalised ,this carried on for 2 years,then by chance while having a bout of pneumonia and being admitted to hospital for treatment I went into AF and came under the guidance of a cardiologist.
Hearing my AF history he arranged an ablation for me. And now the fun begins and I quote. Mr Arnold with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was admitted today for an AF ablation under local anaesthesia and sedation.
Four veins were identified with pulmonary veins potentials and in fact the patient went into AF during the procedure. We were able to isolate the left outside veins but during the procedure the patient became uncomfortable and needed a substantial amount of sedation and there was also a shifter in geometry because he was moving. The left sided veins were clearly isolated as were the right upper pulmonary vein,I was about to recreate the right lower geometry when the patient became hypotensive a Transthoracic echo confirmed a significant pericardial effusion with some RV collapse.
A pigtail drain was inserted and over 400 ml of bloodstained fluid was auto -transfused. Unfortunatley before any further ablation could be done in this area he suffered his complication and therefor the procedure was a abandoned. He experienced a Pericardial effusion and Tamponade, Thankfully Mr arnold has made a good recovery. I must conclude as i'am sure I'am beginning to bore you all , the day I walked out of that hospital some 2 years ago I have not had one episode of AF and if I ever needed a second ablation I would not hesitate to have one but perhaps next time under a general anaesthetic.
Post Ablation
Touch up ablation 
3 year NSR anniversary
Laser ablation.
Cognitive dysfunction
