Second ablation date

[Ashburton51]

My AF returned in January following my ablation last May and unsuccessful cardioversion. I had at first thought it was stress due to my impending move and the fact I would be moving away from my consultant but alas that was not the case. I moved in April and have continued to experience AF every 2-3 weeks admittedly not as bad as they were before my first ablation.

I found a very good GP who referred me straightaway to the specialist at the QE hospital in Birmingham who immediately said I needed another ablation. He was excellent in the way he explained the process as it will be slightly different to my last one. This time it is an Electrophysiology Study and Ablation. He did want to put me on a cancellation list but as I had booked to go to Florence the first week of October I didn't accept the offer. However it has come through pretty quickly after then - 25th October.

As I had atrial tachycardia after the last ablation I am feeling rather nervous about going in again. But I know I have no other option as in the weeks that I am AF free I feel so well and want to feel like that all of the time. The consultant did say that this procedure does have a higher success rate than the cyro ablation that I had last year. I have certainly got everything crossed.

I'll let you know how it goes!

What a journey we are all on and thank goodness for this wonderful forum - give yourselves a pat on the back as you are so great to have around.

Gloria

[Kaz747]

All the best with the procedure Gloria, and the holiday.

[IanMK]

Hi Gloria

I'm sure your EP explained it, but for everyone else's benefit I understand that the reason an EP study and (most likely RF) ablation is likely to be more effective after your initial cryoablation is because the cryoablation catheter only isolates the pulmonary veins. The EP study allows other sensitive sites to be identified and ablated with the RF catheter.

[Ashburton51 in reply to IanMK]

Thank you Ian it is so good to have further clarification of the procedure.

[BobD Volunteer]

Obviously a radio frequency (heat) ablation rather than the freezing balloon which means that they will be able to get to areas the balloon can not. Atrial tachycardia is quite a common post ablation thing and easily cardioverted. I had to have DCCV a month or so after each of my ablations. Relax all will be well.

Bob

[Ashburton51 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob I think part of my nervousness was that cardioversion didn't work for my atrial tachycardia and I had to be put on Amiodarone which did the job luckily so I didn't have to stay on it for too long. I am starting to work on my relaxing techniques.

[Hidden]

Hi Gloria, my situation has virtually mirrored yours. Back in October, 18 months after my Cryoablation I had AF episodes brought on by stress. I think the problem is that once the rogue pathways have broken through, you remain vulnerable thereafter, even if the causes for the stress have long since disappeared.

Last Friday, I had my second (RF) ablation and the procedure summary confirms all the points made by others. It's early days, but for me, the signs are looking good so I'm sure you too will have a good outcome and hopefully, the wait will quickly pass, especially with a lovely holiday in Florence somewhere in the middle!

[Ashburton51 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flapjack. I do hope your recovery continues to progress well. Yes having the holiday to look forward to is certainly helping as that is what I am focussing on at the moment. But thanks to this forum and everyone's replies I am feeling more relaxed about the procedure.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Gloria, it's lovely to hear from you again after such a long time. Enjoy Florence and please PM me when you are back to say what you thought of it and if it's really as beautiful as they say. At the moment Prague is still top of my list for stunning architecture.

It looks like you have everything under control with your Electrophysiology Study and Ablation booked for October. Will you be having a general anaesthetic?

Best wishes

Jean

[IanMK]

Enjoy your trip. I had a wonderful weekend there several years ago. The highlight for me was the Ufizzi Gallery and the Vasari Corridor over the Ponte Vecchio.

[Ashburton51 in reply to IanMK]

Thanks Ian. I love it there I think this will be my third or fourth visit! Unfortunately the Vasari Corridor is closed for a refurb, oh well I will just have to go back another time!