My ablation experience

[outofsynch]

After 4 years of AF I was put on the list for an ablation which I had over two weeks ago. It was a partial success with 2 of the pulmonary veins (the ones on the left) successfully ablated. The 2 on the right had issues, with one vein being too big for the probe meaning that it could not be ablated successfully. They had to abandon the procedure due to the phrenic nerve being damaged and my BP plummeting - a 'vagal event' as they described it. They have offered to repeat the procedure using a mapping system in 4 months.

As you would expect the AF has not gone and after two prolonged bouts on my return home I was readmitted to hospital. I am slowly recovering. I have little energy but I am coping well. I use a Kardia to monitor my heart rhythm.

I now have had short bouts of very fast AF (around 150bpm), which before the ablation would have lasted for hours, now last for maybe 20 minutes, so there is improvement there.

I also notice, at other times, that I seem to be flitting in and out of AF. The Kardia readings flit between possible AF, unclassified and normal and can change very quickly within minutes. Before the ablation I rarely was 'normal', so again some improvement. This 'temporary' AF seems to happen more on awakening or after resting for a time. When I get up and move around the heart rhythm settles. Has anyone else had this experience?

I don't regret having the ablation, it gives me hope that once it is repeated then my heart rhythm will improve further.

At present I remain on apixaban and sotalol (120mg twice a day).

[Hidden]

Hi outofsynch, I assume you had a cryoablation and as you probably know, it's not unusual to have to have a second attempt for the reasons you outlined. In my case, my ablation was back in July 16 and the discharge notes indicated there was a problem with one of my pulmonary veins despite apparently using a probe after the balloon. My ablation was fine until last October/November and I have had around 6 episodes since then. You are "lucky" in that I have waited almost 10 months for the second attempt, now due in 10 days time. Obviously with 2 of your veins untreated, AF is more than likely to occur but remember, it takes 3 to 6 months (or more) for the scar tissue to heal on the 2 successful veins, so your condition may well improve before your next ablation....no guarantees I'm afraid, but possible!!

[outofsynch in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your comments. It was a cryoablation and I am fortunate to get another attempt so soon. Mapping, which what they are suggesting seems to be a better method.

[jedimasterlincoln]

Good progress but only half way there! I can empathise with the Vagal event - that happened to me after my first and I was intubated but it was towards the end of the procedure and after the mapping.

[outofsynch in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

I have had 'vagal events' before. Maybe something to do with being very tall!