Second ablation for ectopic beats failed

[NCMH1970]

I have just had confirmed what I already suspected- my second ablation in 4 months was not successful- what now ? Is it worth trying a third ???? Back on the flecainide and back to square one . Feeling peeved!😩

[Bshersey]

My mother, who is 80, has had five ablations. Her afib keeps coming back. Finally, she and her EP agreed they are done with ablations and will rely on meds from now on.

[NCMH1970 in reply to Bshersey]

Five!!!! I wonder what the record is ?!!! Well done her 😊

[Bob56]

if your second ablation was specifically for ectopic beats, my understanding was that it is very difficult to guarantee success unless you are having the ectopics during the procedure. Are your ectopics constant? I suffer badly from them, but it's intermittent and my EP has said that would always reduce the chance of a ( second) ablation for me being successful.

[NCMH1970 in reply to Bob56]

They are pretty frequent- with bigeminy - yes very annoying especially in the evening- they were typically less obvious during the procedure but after a lengthy (4 1/2 hour) procedure- my cardiologist thought he’d been “successful “ maybe just stick with flecainide again 😞

[Bob56 in reply to NCMH1970]

Bigeminy as I know only too well is very disruptive and can quickly undermine your confidence. My ectopics do come and go, otherwise I think they would drive me potty. I haven't found anything definitive, other than Flecainide and Bisoprolol, which has helped alleviate them. I don't think it helps that the medical fraternity see treating ectopics as a fairly low priority, precisely for the reason that they aren't in themselves life threatening. It's frustrating, but it seems it is down to those of us who suffer from ectopics to try and find ways to live with them. Good luck!

[mjames1]

Do you have afib episodes or just ectopics? If just ectopics I would consider just putting up with them versus another ablation or Flecanide. Ectopics, in and of themselves, while annoying, are harmless.

Jim

[NCMH1970 in reply to mjames1]

Not a fib - frequent PVCs / bigeminy - very annoying and distracting in my daily life - I do also get some fast and heavy beats too - Spose I just have to get on with it 😬

[mjames1 in reply to NCMH1970]

I have frequent PACs and I know how annoying they can be. That said, if they're not triggering frequent or sustained afib other more serious events then my understanding is treatment is optional. I have been experimenting with both diet, exercise and breathing exercises. So far no breakthrough but I'm not ready for either meds or ablation yet, in spite of the fact that my ectopics are triggering very short events of both SVT and afib. In your case, they don't seem to be triggering other cardiac events so doing nothing, experimenting with lifestyle changes and/or just learning to live with the PVCs is a very reasonable option.

Jim

[CVSKL in reply to NCMH1970]

Hai, I’m new here..just did my ablation 7 days ago. Ablation for Atrial Ectopic(PACs bigeminy) but seems that after ablation I still get this PACs daily..really need advice...will this ectopic goes away while I,m still in blanking period? Many thanks