Post-ablation progress

[IanMK]

The purpose of my ablation in July was to reduce my high ectopic burden, the theory being that the arrhythmia was the cause of my heart failure. Analysis of a recent 7-day holter recording shows that my ectopic rate is now down at 1.7%, so I saw my cardiologist yesterday for an echocardiogram. He gave me that good news that my ejection fraction was now 47% (up from 25%), which seems to give evidence to support the original theory. Now I need to know if the reduction in ectopics is a result of the ablation or the amiodarone I was prescribed shortly after (not too surprisingly, the ablation didn't have an immediate effect). I'm now waiting to see my EP again and expect that I will be able to stop the amiodarone. Understandably, my EP wants to explore all other options and is reluctant to take the irreversible step of a pace & ablate. If my heart function remains good after stopping the amiodarone, then all is well. If the ectopics return then I expect to be given the option of choosing between continuing with amiodarone or having a pace and ablate. To my mind, it's an easy choice; even if it wasn't amiodarone, I think I prefer a proven technical solution to a pharmacological one. Ideally, though, I won't need to make the choice (and be able to consider coming off the other meds with their various unwanted effects too)

[Hidden]

Certainly moving in the right direction Ian, here's hoping it stays that way.....best of luck

[greg35]

Hi Ian I also am having a third ablation for ectopics I have been on Flecinide 50 x 2 which kept them at bay for 6 months but they are back maybe due to a heavy cold just now, I dont know whether to go through with the ablation as I keep hearing they are imposible to ablate successfully, have you tried Flecinide yet the gave me breathing space when I felt really down. Good luck and keep in touch.

Kind regards Ingrid

[IanMK in reply to greg35]

Hi Ingrid,

The amiodarone does the job, but the side effects - if you get them - are too severe for the longer term for me to consider it as an option. The point about the pace and ablate procedure is that it is a guaranteed fix for any arrhythmia but I would be totally reliant on the pacemaker.

[CDreamer]

Hope it all goes well for you, those pesky ectopics made me feel worse than being in AF. As you know, I completely agree with you regarding P&A - I wouldn’t even try Amiodarone.

It is a very big decision though which took me over a year to make and I think I got to the point in believing I really didn’t have much QOL as was and that I really did want one!

5 weeks after pacemaker implant I am much more optimistic than I have been for the last 5 years for my health to improve rather than decline.

Best wishes CD.

[IanMK]

I did make my view on Amiodarone clear to my EP, but he has far too good a reputation to be able to disagree with him 🤣

As I say, I expect he'll let me stop it when I next see him.

So glad you're feeling in better spirits.

[mallet-head]

I stopped amiodarone shortly after my dual chamber pacemaker was fitted. Didn’t like the potential side effects of amiodarone although I wasn’t on it for too long (less than 6 months). Haven’t looked back since my pace maker was fitted, No AF, no heart failure, although my annual checks show the pacemaker only kicks in less than 5% of the time. Hope this helps