Hi

[Feemcc]

Hi. I’m Fiona. Recently diagnosed with PAF in June and had an ablation which did not work. Now awaiting a second one. Still finding AF a scary place with very little knowledge provided so thankfully websites like this exist.

[Hidden]

Hello Fiona and welcome to a place you would rather not be! Sorry to hear that things are not going your way yet, but also surprised at the speed at which you are receiving treatment. On the NHS, it's not unusual to wait over 8 weeks to see a consultant and then more than 9 months for an ablation which can take as much as 6 months to determine if successful or not. Can I just confirm you are referring to an ablation and not a cardioversion?

[Feemcc in reply to Hidden]

Yes I had an ablation. I was taken into hospital with cardiac flutter and the A&E couldn’t get my heart rate done so had an ablation the next day.

[Hidden in reply to Feemcc]

It will be interesting to hear what others here say, but I think that that is a bit unusual. I'm not medically trained, but as I understand it, ablations for flutter are generally quicker than those for AF which is probably why a second has been arranged. Obviously we wouldn't know the detail, but it could be that there was insufficient time available to fully complete the procedure. The good thing is that you are in the system and undergoing a treatment plan that many here would give their hind teeth to have!

Scarey is one word for it....I can think of many more but best keep them to myself otherwise I would be banned from the forum!! The important things to know about is if you should be anticoagulated, and you would need to check your Chadsvasc and Hasbled scores if you are not. Many will tell you that AF wont kill you which is true, but it is helpful to do everything you can find out about the condition and then relate what you find out to your own condition, but you need to bear in mind that AF affects folk in so many different ways.....thousands don't even know thay have it!

Hope this helps, but if you have any questions, just ask.....best wishes, John

[Feemcc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I appreciate your support. I’m still learning the terminology etc. I thought the ablation had worked and did for eight weeks. I possibly went back to work too quickly which may have contributed towards now having AF. First ablation was three hours and I understand the next one will be five. Trying some relaxation methods to see if it helps.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Feemcc]

Yes flutter ablation is in the right atrium and fairly quick to do although three hours sound a long time to me. In order to do fibrillation ablation (pulmonary vein isolation procedure to give it the correct title) it is necessary to puncture the septum between right and left atria to gain access to the left atrium. There are EP centres in London doing hundreds of cryo ablation for AF taking on average about an hour and a half which is why I wonder where you are?

I recommend that you go to our main website ( AF Association) and read all you can as knowledge is power.

[cuore in reply to BobD]

Atrial flutter can also be in the left atrium as mine was and around the mitral valve ( perimitral flutter)-- Perimitral flutter is a macroeentrant tachycardia that typically occurs after left atrial ablation for atrial fibrillation. I had two very big loops. The Bordeau group now injects alcohol ( a technique they've been using for 4 months) into the Vein of Marshall to block the rogue signals. I now joke that I have a drunken heart. The whole procedure, done Nov 20, took one hour and I am now in sinus rhythm (Dec. 7).

[Feemcc]

Thanks Bob. I’m under Hammersmith Hospital. I have been sent some great stuff from the AF Association but helpful to hear from people who have it.

[Bee-Honest]

I am new to this site. Have had PAF for 15 years, now permanent AF , so agree this site is so helpful.

[Feemcc in reply to Bee-Honest]

15 years. I hope it is well regulated as that sounds like a long time. How do you manage it ?

[Bee-Honest in reply to Feemcc]

Well regulated with Flecanaide and Warfarin, however did have a stroke about 8 years ago but due to the Warfarin, had no lasting effects, now on Aspirin too.

[Hidden in reply to Bee-Honest]

Hi Be-Honest, I'm not medically trained, but as I understand it, unless you have heart conditions other than AF, aspirin is not recommended as it can increase the risk of bleeding. It's worth checking with cardiologist or preferably an EP, but if it's your GP who has suggested taking aspirin, you need to be a little cautious.

[Bee-Honest in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack,

Both a senior neurologist and senior cardiologist prescribed aspirin as well as warfarin. The aspirin takes the stickiness out of your blood and the warfarin thins it. There are risks to taking both but told my need outways the risks. Thanks for your concern.

[Hidden in reply to Bee-Honest]

Hi Be-Honest

I had the same advice. Latest reasearch apparently suggests that Warfarin plus Clopidogerol may be a better combination than Warfarin plus Aspirin.

My GP stopped my Aspirin. If I have another stroke event, I will ask the consultant for a carotid artery Doppler to see if there is a blockage. If yes, an antiplatelet would be prescribed and sometimes a stent is necessary.

[Bee-Honest]

Thanks, always comforting to know that other people have similar health issues and the treatment they receive. When I was first diagnosed I was 50 and did not know of anyone else with AF, a self help group would have been so beneficial.