AF Association

21,577 members • 26,355 posts

Sounds really daft but .... when is post ablatio AF not AF ?

Hi all - 5 1/2 weeks since my catheter cryo ablation & last night was sat in a cafe & had an 'incident' which am not sure if was AF trying to breakthrough or something else ?? I have been off Flecanaide for 1 1/2 weeks & whatever the blip was lasted about 8 minutes. The obvious has gone through my mind .. was it mild AF, has the procedure failed or is is it early days & just settling in blips ? - I know I'm probably over analysing things but as am sure others can say, am wishing it to succeed so much that any negative issues are worrying me.

25 Replies

•

Your are. As we explain in our fact sheet on recovery , this sort of thing is very common and it is far too early to start thinking of failure. Ectopics are very common as you will find if you use the search box.

Thanks Bob - I'm sadly one of life's worriers & cant lie that I felt cheesed off last night.Im use to the AF rhythm - is an Ectopic different slightly ?

Ectopics are wrongly placed beats but feel like missed ones.

Thanks Bob

If you have not seen this AFA fact sheet Kevwray, it’s well worth reading.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

Thanks - I had read the sheet , but find that chatting with others really helps as puts things in perspective - thanks for reply - take care

Nothing daft about it. My EP said that self terminating AF episodes are not uncommon after ablations for a few months. And we do tend to analyse, over analyse and notice every best of our hearts. All the best Kevwray.

Kaz - thanks for comment - you are right about the over analysing - I feel better for your comments - Kev

Thank you for bringing this up as I’m due over the next couple of months, I’m sure I will be listening to my hearts reaction to anything and worrying if I get any episodes even if the fact sheet tells me it can happen.....

This will happen for up to 6 months, and even occasionally for the rest of your life. It doesn't mean the ablation failed, just that they are not a 100% fix but do improve your QoL massively. You have made the right decision so don't worry when your heart misses the odd beat and get on with enjoying life again.

Mike - kind comments & am reassured but feedback from yourself & others - take care

Hi Kevwray, this is a common thing after an ablation. My consultant told me its the heart settling down and trying to go into AF then finding it cant anymore as th pathways have been blocked. 10 years on I occassionally get funny flutters and have a pill in the pocket therapy if needed but they usually go out of date because they havent all been used. Dont worry about these blips and enjoy your new QOL.

All the best, Jackie.

Thanks Jackie

All the best.

What is your PIP?

PIP is Flecainide 100/150mg when needed.

That is my regular med currently 100 mg twice daily, hope to be off of it in 3-4 months post ablation. Hopeful....

Hi spoiler I was on 200mg of flecinide a day and up to 5mg of bisiprolol before my ablation and after 3 months I was off the lot only take rivaroxaban 20mg now, I felt a bit strange after stopping the meds but here we 6 months since op and yes I get some eptopics which sometimes scares the bejesus out of me but it's all ok.

I had my second ablation 3 months ago (27 June) and had really bad and frightening episodes of AF in July and then - nothing much!! I had my 3-month hospital catch up and wanted to stop my bisoprolol 5mg a day but was told to stay on it. I too, take Rivaroxaban. Why was I told I should keep up the bisoprolol and you were allowed to stop??!

Different EP's different ideas I suppose, I have noticed my resting heart rate is a lot faster now 75 to 85 compared to 55 to 65 when on bisiprolol, feel so much better not taking the heart meds as I do not get breathless now

Easy to say but harder to do is just to get on with life and be positive. It is natural to have anxiety about our heartbeats and we all feel the "strange" sensations, missed beats etc because we are so aware of them. They are normal and to be expected and you are very early into the recovery process. Remember that the nurses at the clinic are on hand to discuss things if it gets out of hand. Best wishes for a continued recovery.

Thanks Gordon for your best wishes

I had a ablation on Sept 25, I had a 1 hour and 40 min episode Oct. 4th at night right before bed, I had worked longer than usual and think I pushed it too soon. The biggy was it resolved on its own after I took my regular meds, I was an hour late taking them. Before the ablation, it would not have converted, meds or no meds without dC cardioversion, so I am very hopeful!

My iphone watch 3 keeps great track with my iphone and free app.

My ablation was Sept 26th - my little 'wander' for 8 mins was after a longer day as well - but wasnt full AF & was ok straight after with no meds etc - take care

Had my ablation 12th sept, felt fine for 2 weeks and then af started and lasted for 4 DAYS. Reverted back on its own with no meds. Still have the odd bumps and thumbs but taking thinks easier now. Best wishes to you.