AF attack happening now

[LYJB]

Hello, I'm Linda. I hope you can help me. I'm due to go for pre-assessment tomorrow for a cryoablation. I've started with an AF attack this morning; if I'm still in AF tomorrow does that mean I will not be able to be assessed and will have to cancel the appointment? The last attack lasted 35 hours. I take Dronedarone and Bisoprolol. I haven't yet been given a date for the ablation and I'm afraid it will be delayed by this latest attack. Can anyone advise me please? Thank you.

[UScore]

I can't see why they would cancel the appointment. After all this shows that you do need the ablation! Are you capable of attending whilst in afib?

Phone them up and check, I'm sure they'll say it's fine.

[LYJB in reply to UScore]

Thank you for your fast response. My husband is taking me to the hospital tomorrow, all being well. I know they will do an ECG and blood tests. The ECG won't give a normal sinus reading, of course. I'm afraid that if I ring them for advice they will simply postpone tomorrow's appointment. Thank you again.

[UScore in reply to LYJB]

Ablations are given to people in permanent afib too.

The ECG will show AFIB. That might be a good thing. They'll know what they are dealing with.

All the ECGs I've ever had at the Heart Institute were of perfect sinus rhythm. If it wasn't for the printouts I got from A&E it's possible they wouldn't have believed me!

[LYJB in reply to UScore]

Thanks again......grateful for your advice.

[pottypete1]

There should be absolutely no reason why you should not attend your appointment.

I believe that if you are still in AF, which is not a certainty, they will appreciate the opportunity to do an ECG with you in AF.

It might even bump you up the waiting list.

Relax.

Pete

[LYJB in reply to pottypete1]

Thank you so much! You have put my mind at rest..... I feel much better! I was initially told the ablation procedure would be around end June/early July but they have had some cancellations and I was given 5 days' notice of the pre-assessment date. So I was feeling lucky to jump the waiting list! Thanks again.

[Hidden]

I agree - if anything, as pottypete1 says, it might be an advantage as they can take an ECG and get a good idea of what your heart is up to.

But you may or may not be back in normal rhythm by then. 35 hours seems a while to rattle on.

[LYJB in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I thought it was becoming permanent. Thank you so much for your advice.....this is a wonderful forum.

[azriverrat]

As long as you are physically able to. When you have an ablation actually performed if you are not in afib they include it so they can find it. My past ablation I went to I was in flutter over 200 on the day of. Nurse said one less step as didn't have to induce it at that point. Maybe later.once that was ablated to find any last remnants but like oh good your in flutter is a nice extra. So for a.checkup it is also good. Like.qnother said prove you need an ablation.

[LYJB in reply to azriverrat]

Thank you for the advice...really useful and much appreciated!

[johnMiosh]

My AFib was not diagnosed until it became permanent; my ECG at pre-assessment looked like an earthquake monitor.

At the pre-assessment you will be tested, swabbed, measured and relieved of a bit of blood. You would only be cancelled now if the pre-assessment picks up MRSA or other infection. My first ablation was scheduled for three weeks after the pre-assessment. My second was also intended to be three weeks later, but unfortunately it was cancelled on the morning due to lack of anaesthetist. Before I left the hospital they did more MRSA swabs and called me for the op two weeks later.

[LYJB in reply to johnMiosh]

Thank you so much...this is really useful, especially the time scales.

[wilsond]

I be!eve they prefer us to be in AT so they can see what's happening where..good luck.x

[LYJB in reply to wilsond]

Thank you.....best wishes to you too.

[wilsond in reply to LYJB]

Meant to read AF not AT!

[stwessed]

I hope you are feeling better today. But yes, definitely go to your appointment. Being in Afib while at the doctor is actually a good thing, so they can correctly diagnose which parts of your hearts electrical system are acting up. It is so hard to catch the events with holter monitors at home, so it would actually be desirable if you are in Afib when there. I know it is scary, but hang in there and let us know how you are doing.

[LYJB in reply to stwessed]

Yes I will. Thank you for your advice. Please see my last message. Best wishes.

[Ryman2007]

I think you should go in right away so you don’t end up having any heart damage. Not worth taking a chance.

[LYJB in reply to Ryman2007]

Thank you for your advice. Please see my last message. I'm hoping such a prolonged episode won't happen again, especially when I've had the ablation, hopefully soon.. Best wishes.

[LYJB]

From Linda: Thank you to all those who replied to my post yesterday and solved my problem admirably. To update you: the AF stopped this morning (after more than 24 hours), just before I left home to keep my pre-assessment appointment. I was speedily assessed: bloods, swabs, weight, height, ECG, blood pressure...... and now (if the tests are OK), I have to wait for a date for the ablation. I'll keep in touch. Best regards to all.

[Chicohamilton in reply to LYJB]

Delighted to hear that you are back on track - best wishes for a successful ablation

[LYJB in reply to Chicohamilton]

Thank you for your kind wishes....

[LYJB]

Hello everyone, this is an update on my previous posts last month regarding my impending cryoablation.

I had it last week; it was quite painful towards the end of the procedure...the pain was across my upper chest and upper back. I asked for more pain relief, which they gave me but it wasn't really enough. I asked for more in the recovery room and they gave me morphia. (I'm sure other people would tolerate the pain better than I did; I think my pain tolerance is low). There was also a sensation that the EP doctor called 'hiccups' during the procedure. This was a series of sharp 'pops' in my chest (maybe 15) which was to check that the phrenic nerve hadn't sustained any damage after the balloon ablation was completed. These pops were not painful but were very disconcerting and startling. I could have done with more sedation too.

After all this griping and moaning, I have recovered very quickly, no more pain, and feel just fine. Occasional skipped or extra beats but nothing of any note. I was uneasy at first about the catheter puncture site (swelling and bruising) but it seems to have settled down and healing OK now. I had a slight ache in my upper gullet for a few days but that's gone now.

I do hope I haven't discouraged anyone...I just thought I should be honest about my own experience, which is mine alone and will not necessarily be as bad for others. Best wishes to you all, Linda