Cost of ablation for AF in the UK

[PBaines]

My husband has AF and has been told catheter ablation may help more than the drugs he's been taking for some years. We don't have private insurance but would like ablation done as quickly as possible. The price we were quoted seems very high compared to other private surgical procedures. Has anyone had it done privately in the UK in recent years and able to share the costs? Thank you.

[BobD Volunteer]

Varies from centre to centre. I have seen anything from £15,000 to £25,000 but it does depend a lot on recovery and any complications which may occur. Remember that "hotel costs" for a hospital bed are about £500 per night. I think that the price may also vary greatly between Cryo (simple AF with only pulmonary veins affected) and Radiofrequency (for more complex ablations ) and if you have sedation or GA. Obviously GA requires an anaesthetist which may or may not be included.

All that said, many people find that by paying to see an EP privately in the first instance they can then go on the NHS list and climb the waiting ladder a little faster. It must also be understood that ablation should be considered part of ongoing treatment and may need to be repeated.

[PBaines in reply to BobD]

Thank you, very helpful. Seems our estimate was about right.

[Hidden]

I was quoted 15k over 8 years ago. Of course if it could be more if complications.

[PBaines in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Kelvyn]

£12000 at Leicester Slightly cheaper in Stoke

[PBaines]

Thank you, a lot cheaper than London!

[Mo-ararat]

I paid £15000 for a cryoablation in London last December. Alas it didnt work so went back to NHS to have a radio frequency procedure to focus on the missed areas. Sad to say that had to be abandoned because of a Tamponade So back on the waiting list. I wish I had waited and had the original one on the NHS. Just one journey.

[Luludean]

I do not know where you live but I live in Cambridge and the wait for an ablation was so long that I opted to go out of the borough, as is allowed, and got an appointment within a week , in London , at St Mary's Paddington. It was done on the NHS.

[KeyboardMan in reply to Luludean]

I hope you are now much better. I assume you contacted your GP who advised on waiting lists for this procedure and the GP arranged for your referral to St Mary's? Thank you.

[ThomasM34]

Evening mates,

Indeed, price range is wide. Some comparison from outside the UK. I did mine in April this year in Bangkok, Bumrungraad hospital. Radio frequency ablation, top advanced technology and done by one of the world leading EPs, flew in from Los Angeles. Full GA, few technicians from CardioInsight, my cardiologist and some other staff, reckon all in all 10 ppl in the lab. 2 nights in single bed room, private insurance, total cost USD 30,000.--

Service first class and no waiting time.

And it seems they did a pretty good job 😀

Cheers

T

[Hidden]

15k Birmingham UK at the QE about 4 years ago.

[Stucoo]

I had cryo in July - 16K plus consultant fees before and after

[Buffafly]

Helps if you are willing to take a cancellation, I was told February but had it done in December at very short notice.

[perkman]

WOW, Much higher in the US. I had RF ablation in Phoenix under sedation. The total cost was almost $130,000.

Luckily my insurance covered all of it!

[Davebe in reply to perkman]

Phew. Rule Britannia!!! I'm seeing my EP every 3 months after 3 years and still wearing my loop recorder. Dave

[Bluebird10]

I only waited 12 weeks for my ablation on the NHS - not sure why you want it done so quickly but I know it’s a very expensive procedure.

[browng]

I had an ablation in Papworth in September this year and inclusive of pre-op tests, the cost was under £11000. My EP was fairly well booked up but from the consultation in early July he was able to book me in for early September, which suited me. No complications immediately after the op but suffered three bouts of atrial flutter. I have been on 2 x 150mg Flecainide for last 4 weeks and been clear of any issues.

The plan is gradually to reduce the flecainide later this year when the scar tissue has properly formed and hopefully my PAF issues will have been resolved. Fingers crossed.

[Paceygirl74]

It can be expensive. My dad wanted to pay for private for me and my surgeon said no. I'm glad he didn't pay though as I've had 10 In 9 years including one as open heart after the first ablation failed.. Sometimes you do need more than 1 go for it to be successful longterm.

I find NHS are usually pretty quick. I've never had to wait more than 12 weeks for mine. I even had one 3 days before Xmas.

Whatever route you choose good luck to u and your husband.

Vicki

[Brenda-j]

I had an ablation at Papworth a month ago which in the end cost under £11000. All went well I was told. Feeling fine and hoping for the best. Time will tell.

[Wesman90]

I got quoted £9,000 in lancashire which was too much for me but luckily I got a N H S appointment through on the 17th of this month

[PBaines]

Thank you all so much for the replies, I wish I could reply individually. You have all been so very helpful. I am going to try and persuade my husband to try the NHS first and then privately if the wait is too long. I

[Luisa1987]

Hi The waiting list in the north west of England is around 12 months but if your husband is having frequent attacks and the medication isnt working then it needs expediating by the GP to the EP specialist. I was in and out of Hospital around 8 times before i was put on the emergency list but even so i waited 8 months! When i enquired about private op i was given a date on the NHS for 3weeks ahead. This was cancelled the day before but they did it 3 days later.

[Geza10]

if you dont not need an ablation i would not bother, the only ones who push for ablations are the surgeons who make bags of money, i have had one ablation as i was in persistent with a slow heart beat due to training all my life, it lasted 6 months then went back into AF he wanted me to have it done again i refused and have controlled it my self with diet and moderate excise.

There is no cure with ablations it will always return all your doing is making the surgeons richer i am waiting till there is a 100 per cent chance it will be cured, i will not risk any more damage to my heart and end up with a pacemaker because it been cremated that much, this is my choose so everyone make your own minds up whats good for you and your bank account.

[cuore in reply to Geza10]

I have had two ablations within 4 months in Bordeaux, France for a cost of 33,110 Euros ( 2 x 16,555). For the first ablation(July 3) I was 6 months in persistent atrial fibrillation, and for the second (Nov. 20) the atrial flutter they couldn't get the first time due to edema. I feel that my electrophysiologists were worth every penny as I feel very much better and am now in sinus rhythm. The Bordeaux group is trying hard to fine a cure. In my last ablation, my veins of Marshal were injected with alcohol to block the arrhythmia -- a procedure only four months old. But, I did have the top electrophyiologists in the world.

[Geza10 in reply to cuore]

that is great if you can afford it a lot of people on this site cant me included but i wish you all the best

[CDreamer in reply to Geza10]

Absolutely diasagree ablations about just money. And EPs are not surgeons as ablation is not surgery. Much cleaner than taking toxic drugs & nothing is 100% guaranteed!You also need to view ablation as a series of treatments.

Agree on all your points regarding lifestyle first though!

[Geza10 in reply to CDreamer]

any time you are messed about inside your body is surgery

[vovvarna22 in reply to Geza10]

Thank you, very interesting. I've been advised to see my cardio dr with a view to have an ablation as my pulse is very high after the slightest exertion, several AF probs, SVT. However, my Cardio Dr said, last July, my heart is healthy, so only need an ablation if I feel I want one. Thought of going private but can't possibly afford those prices quoted on here ... so will think again. NHS in Leicester ... .anyone here who knows the waiting times??Increasing my Sotalol dosage has not calmed down my heart rate .... from 80 mg per day to 160 mg per day.

[cuore]

The cost in Bordeaux, France is 16,555 Euros regardless if the length of time it take which in my case was about 7 hours for the first and only one hour for the second. You get a private room for 4 nights for yourself and anyone accompanying you plus incredible monitoring. As Bordeaux, France is a world leader in ablation, you get the latest technology , specifically the cardio-insight vest. A technology which is only 4 months old as of Nov. 20, 2017 -- injecting alcohol into the veins of Marshel -- was performed to block the electrical signals for my atrial flutter. I highly recommend the skills of the electrophysiologist there -- Dr. Hocini and Dr. Jais.

[PBaines in reply to cuore]

Thank you for that response. Can I just clarify if the cost is per ablation (you mentioned you had 2)?

[cuore in reply to PBaines]

Yes, the cost is per ablation which for two was 33110 Euros (2 x 16555 Euros). Bordeaux charges per ablation regardless of the length of time it takes to do the ablation which in my case was about 7 hours for the first and only one hour for the second. You get a private room for yourself and an accompanying person for 4 nights, all meals included, incredible monitoring and the latest technology. But, the best thing is that the electrophysiologists are the tops in the world.

[CDreamer]

Sensible plan. I found in some areas if the ablation is done in an NHS hospital (preferable) there is no ‘jumping the queue’ anyway unless you are a medical priority. I had both mine in a private hospital in London & cost was circa £15k in 2013-14, with sedation with an anaesthetist.

[Geza10]

looks like the rest of us best start doing the euro lottery

[Colutd]

I have been told there are 2 types of ablation though, if your either conscious or completely unconscious which I’d rather be whilst it’s being done?

Are all these quotes for being unconscious or a mixture of both?

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