About ablation

[Smorgan]

Hi ive had Afib for 2 years or longer ,it was found accidentally , my dr wants to do ablation since i’ve had cardioversion that did not work , but i’m not sure about it , can someone tell me the procedure?

[beardy_chris]

An ablation is a fairly serious procedure usually carried out by an ElectroPhysiologist (EP), a cardiologist specialising in the heart's electrical system.

In simple terms, they put a device into your groin push it up to your heart, across your heart and then burn or freeze intersection of the Pulmonary Veins with your heart. There are risks associated with it and the success rate varies - let's say 50% to 75% - it is common to need two or more ablations to fix AF.

It is generally only recommended if the AF is affecting your quality of life (it doesn't always). If you are in permanent AF, ablation is often less successful and it may be important to do it fairly soon before the heart 'gets used to' being in AF.

The EP I saw suggested that an ablation was not worth the risk for me. I'm happy with that decision but your mileage will probably vary!

[rosyG]

good reply from Beardy Chris- if your AF was discovered accidentally it sounds as if you don't have many symptoms?? Ablation is not a cure , is risky, and is usually suggested when quality of life is being affected. Also there may be reasons why the cardioversion didn't work- best to discuss your individual case with cardiologist or EP if you would like to consider ablation

[BobD Volunteer]

There is a full booklet on our AF Association website which explains all.

[Brizzy50000]

Having had an ablation less than 2 weeks ago, the procedure while not pleasant was the best thing for me having suffered from AF for a number of years and the last 6 months was in AF for 4 or 5 days out of 7. So far so good one hour run of AF none since, so for some Ablation is the answer, but you have to decide what quality of life you can live with.

[dar2drm]

I had AF for years before it was discovered, just thought I was stressed, ad then after. It was well controlled with medication. I only chose the catheter surgery because I understand there is a window for many people before they need to consider anything other than medication. Two years seems like a quick leap to me but if you ask the questions and possibly get another opinion, you will discover your best options so you can make an informed choice.

[pw999]

I am signed up for Ablation in 6 weeks, the Birmingham Heart Rhythm Group have some good info sheets explaining the procedure with diagrams, I found them very informative. birminghamheartrhythmgroup....

birminghamheartrhythmgroup....

[Ladypaula in reply to pw999]

These information leaflets are really good.Wish I had been given something like this before my ablations for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation .

[pw999 in reply to Ladypaula]

Thanks Paula, I hope you Ablations were successful. Pete

[Ladypaula in reply to pw999]

My flutter ablation was successful the fibrilation ablation I am still getting episodes of AF which my EP wants to do a touch up but I had a bit of a tough time after my last one I had a pericardial effusion and didnt feel too great for a few weeks after the procedure .i was very tired and breathless so am a bit reluctant to have the repeat procedure for now .

[Gowers in reply to pw999]

Only just seen your post from a year ago - thank you. may I ask where you had the ablation done & who performed it. I am also under their care so found the link interesting

[pw999 in reply to Gowers]

Hi, my first Ablation was done by Dr Lencioni, my heart was bulletproof for two months then returned to AF periodically. Had my second Ablation with Dr Marshall in July 2019 and so far so good, occasional ectopic but generally good. Dr Marshall said one PV was isolated perfectly fro. ABLATION 1 and the second was leaking a bit, second Ablation was very quick. The team at QE are incredible, you are in very good hands. GOOD LUCK.

[Gowers in reply to pw999]

Interesting to read your reply thank you - yes, I have been under their care for about 3years & find the whole cardio "team" excellent. It seems QE has all the latest technology, we are so fortunate to have it in our area

[Mugster]

I had an ablation 10 days ago following an unsuccessful cardioversion. The risks quoted to me by my EP as I signed the consent form were very low,e.g. 0.1% of death,0.2% of a stroke,1% of bleed in groin compared to the benefits ie relief of AF symptoms and a return to a better quality of life

The procedure was in my case under General anaesthetic and included an overnight stay. Not pleasant but bearable

The op seems to have been a success and am steadily getting stronger and more energy

[KMRobbo]

I was diagnosed AF in July 2015 after finding out by accident I had it.

Asymptomatic but high HR.

Unfortunately it developed and got worse over 22 months so I had to take more meds which were quite intrusive

So I had an ablation for AF 29 Jan, unfortunately developed flutter 9 days later which was extremely symptomatic and had a flutter ablation on the 26 Feb.

Just coming off the last of my meds and looking forward to a drug free period ( fingers crossed)

Feel the best I have done since last July already.

Neither of the ablation were a problem or issue to me. Was not on general anaesthetic either. Had worse pain at the dentists.

I would have another tomorrow to keep me off the meds.

Please also read the report published yesterday on health unlocked by second try . ( from a doctor John day)

[KMRobbo]

Smorgan

This was the post on ablation I referred to earlier.

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

Regards