Are we ever cured?
When I had my meeting with the ep to explain about having a ablation... he led me to believe that the ablation if it worked was a fix and not a cure and I would always have af and it could come back any time and I could need multiple ablations plus medication.
Was he giving me the worst outcome?
I had a successful ablation in 2005 and my EP said it would last about 5-15 years and he was correct in that I had AF return after 8 years.
BUT, the AF that returned wasn't anywhere near as bad as it was originally. So in a way, I would say that my ablation is still working in that although it's not eliminating my AF, it is reducing it. Bearing in mind how I was back then and how AF develops, it would be truly terrible now, 12 years later, but with drugs it is under control and I lead a normal life.
This is purely my personal experience, and I have no idea how others have faired, maybe it's unusual? I wouldn't know.
Koll
I think he is being honest as this could be the outcome but, as Koll says, ablation may reduce the severity of the episodes- this is why the usual advice is to weigh up the risks of ablation against the severity of your present symptoms. I haven't had an ablation but people I have spoken to who have, say that they were sure it was the right thing at the time as their quality of life was so poor.
Thanks for the replies
i have made my decision to have the ablation as I have made many lifestyle changes, take my medication and still have regularly attacks.
The ablation doesn't worry me but I do worry about after the ablation, I really just want my life back.
My af became persistent in December after thirty years, gradually becoming more frequent. The cocktail of drugs put me back in nsr but my EP convinced me that ablation was the best option for me. It's only just over three weeks since I had it done but I've just gone back in nsr and feel fine. I'm seeing EP tomorrow and I'm hoping I can be weaned off this horrid amiodarone. It's not for everyone but my EP expects me to get fifteen years afib free. I'll drink to that.
It's a personal decision made up of two personal decisions - is your QOL good enough and do you accept the risk of drug side effects. No to either of these and its track down an EP with a good ablation record. Good luck.
I had an ablation last July my AF came back January went in for another ablation 1 march but they had to abandon the operation due to a bleed in my heart. Now booked again 10 April for a PVI hopefully no complications as have tried beta blockers and dronedarone for my AF which do not work for me. So fingers crossed operation works as I am extremely frustrated with this AF unable to walk at a normal pace as my pulse goes up to 160. I am 67 years of age, normally very active.
To ablate or not to ablate?
Pace and AV node ablation
There can be a cure for AF!
