AV Node Ablation

[Jennywren2953]

I am booked it have an AV Node ablation next week. I have had AF since November 16. It’s a long story but I’ve had 5 cardioversions, been on Amerodion, bicor, nebilet, spirolactin, digoxin apixiban. I had a primary vein ablation last August then in October was admitted to hospital with AF and heart on 170.they tried to get it down with amerodion but no success there so after a couple on days did a cardio version. Unfortunately this didn’t work and my heart was very slow to kick back in and was on 28 bpm with some 10 second gaps between beats. After getting a second opinion from another Cardiologist is was decided to put in a pacemaker with the AV node ablation to follow. I have had the duel chamber pacemaker since October and am in permanent AF my heart rate around 150. I have been taking digoxin, that didn’t work and when the nebilet was increased I could hardly drag myself around, couldn’t sleep and had no appetite. I feel at 64 I have no quality of life have no energy and can’t go up a flight of stairs without having to sit down. This ablation is my last resort but I am a bit hesitant and hope I’m not going from bad to worse. I would be grateful for anyone’s advice.

[Hidden]

Hi Jennywren . I'm 74, and have had afib since 2011. Long story short started on meds at that time, had multiple side effects from various meds, had 2 cardioversions, and in 2016 was diagnosed with permanent AF. I did not want to continue with constant 'trial and error ' drugs which made me feel sick all the time. In November 2016 I opted for a pacemaker and an AV node ablation. It took me about 2 months to feel really better and since that time have had no further problems. I am off all meds except furosemide (Lasix) and both my electrophysiologist and I consider myself well-managed . He also recently told me I am in better shape cardiac-wise now than I was 3 years ago. I am a retired nurse in the US and don't like taking many of the drugs on the market. In January 2018 I opted to have a Watchman device inserted so I could get off anticoagulants.I had been monitoring my own INR's at home for several years but began having bothersome symptoms with the warfarin. That procedure has also gone well and I was taken off warfarin in mid March. I now have 2 more months of taking Plavix then will be off all meds associated with the afib except as I said the Lasix. Have not had any episodes requiring hospitalization or Emergency Room visits for cardiac-related problems in over 2 years. We are all different and require indivualized treatment plans but if I had known how much better I would feel after the pacemaker and ablation I would have done it sooner. It can be a slow process with times of feeling ill, depressed, and frustrated but when you and your doc find what works for you it is worth the journey. Take care xx irina 🐱

[Jennywren2953 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much irina for your reply, I am so pleased that things have gone well for you, makes me feel a bit more confident also. I have never heard of Watchman device, I don’t know if it’s available here in Australia,I will look into it though, I have been apixiban since this all started and haven’t had any issues as yet but obviously taking it for the rest of my life’s not appealing but at least I won’t have to take all the others when I have the ablation. I hope you continue with your good health many thanks Jenny

[Hidden in reply to Jennywren2953]

You're very welcome Jenny. I hope you are feeling better very soon. It is possible to live a comfortable life with a-fib. Take care xx irina PS Take things slowly. If you decide to have the ablation give yourself time to heal. Then down the road you can decide what your next step should be. 😊

[Jennywren2953 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much Irina I’ll definitely take your advice😀

[Hidden in reply to Jennywren2953]

🐱

[dmac4646]

There was a thread 18 days ago called Pacemaker and Av node ablation you may find helpful give it a search

[Jennywren2953 in reply to dmac4646]

Thank you I will😀

[tibetan36]

I’ve had an AV Node Ablation. Previous to that I’d had two Radio Frequency Ablations and one Cardioversion all of which failed after having them for twelve months each.

The AVNA is usually the last resort after all else has failed. For me it’s been the best procedure to have happened on this journey, and like others have mentioned it should have been the very first procedure to have.

I have my quality of life back, I can exercise properly etc.

Mind you I had to lose weight suggested by my Cardiologist who said go on the 5-2 diet, I did and have lost 23kg in 26 weeks.

The AVNA takes approximately thirty five minutes which is a bonus because my RF Ablations took approximately five hours each.

I highly recommend having the procedure done....it finalises all the pain, Hospital visits.

[Jennywren2953 in reply to tibetan36]

Thanks so much for your reply I’m glad it was such a success.

[BobD Volunteer]

Many people live full lives after pacemaker and AVNA . It is important to understand what you are letting yourself in for so a very brief explanation.

The AV node is a sort of junction box which sends electrical signals back and forth to various parts of the heart.

By ablating it those signals cannot pass so for example the fibrillation going on in the left atrium will not be able to transfer down to the left ventricle and create the chaotic pulse which you experience. The pacemaker will then maintain a steady ventricular rate or "heart beat" according to the parameters set into it which will enable you to live a more normal life, have more exercise and energy etc.. The fibrillation can still be going on but isolated from the rest of your heart although some people are still aware of the feelings but without the dreadful symptoms of fatigue. Technically it is said that you become pacemaker dependent but in fact all heart cells can beat so it should continue to function albeit quite slowly.

Yes it is a "final solution" but in your case it does seem justified and you should benefit greatly.

[Jennywren2953]

Hi Bob thanks so much for your message and explanation. I’m hoping it will be a success and Am looking forward to not having that terrible feeling of fatigue, I haven’t been given any guarantees but I’m feeling more optimistic after yours and some other feedback from this forum, manny thanks Jenny