Can they tell

[Alfieros]

If the ablation worked straight away?

[Hidden]

Not sure we are qualified to answer that one Alfieros.

I guess that if a detailed mapping process has been followed and all the initial signs are that the patient is in sinus rhythm and has not had any adverse reaction, in anyway, to the procedure then the answer might be yes. However, it can take 3 to 6 months for the scar tissue to heal and during that period, the patient could easily experience runs of AF, palpitations and ectopics which ease during that period which also indicates that the procedure has worked. Will be interesting to hear what others have to say, but unfortunately, an ablation is not a definitive action like turning OFF a tap.......

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I agree with you Flapjack, at the point that they finish the ablation I'm pretty sure that they would consider it "done" that's why they can vary in the time it takes, depends on the number of pathways they find for example.

then, as you say comes the 3-6 month healing period, that's when pathways can reestablish or maybe the scar doesn't completely block the path?

Conversely , the scar tissue may not completely form for several weeks , hence the blanking period

[BobD Volunteer]

They will tell you it is a success BUT see above. Pathways can re-establish or areas which had not been seen during mapping may start to fire off meaning a second procedure may be reqquired. ~

Basically once completed they infuse you with a special drug which should induce AFand if it dosen't it is considered finished.

[Alfieros in reply to BobD]

Wow that’s interesting. Didn’t know that.

[Morzine in reply to BobD]

Bob to find the naughty bits in the heart do they induce afib while you are under GA?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Morzine]

Never been awake so I can't tell you but generally they try to stimulate the areas so they know where to ablate. Of course with cryo they just freeze the four pulmonary viens and hope. That is why some people need an RF top up later.

[Teresaw40 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob it was cryo that I had done last wed & consultant said that everything went well & he's pretty confident that it will cure my AF, I did feel lots of thumping palpitations during procedure but that was them making that happen, It took only 45 mins the consultant said! I felt ok on Saturday so done some hoovering & washing etc & boy was I so lethargic all day Sunday & I get tight chested & a burning throat every so often. I am off work till 7th Nov so hopefully can do a good bit more by then. I have a follow up appt in 3 months time so fingers crossed.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Teresaw40]

In our fact sheet Recovering from Ablation we say total rest for the first week and not a lot more the second so I'm not surprised you were beat. STOP IT! Gentle walks and only one flight of stairs for now. Better to recover slowiy and not go balls out like I did after my first and waste it all.

[Teresaw40 in reply to BobD]

I was trying to find that sheet Bob but forgot how to see them. My work have took me off Rota for 2 weeks till 7th but the cardiologist said at my appt months ago that I should only need 1 week off work!!! Now I'm like seriously! I am taking it very easy now apart from walking the dog couple of times a day but I am fairly feeling it now & in my line of work hoisting & rolling & dressing people can be pretty strenuous so hope that dosent upset everything when I go back, lot of driving too but that shouldn't be too bad should it? Thanks for ur reply

Teresa

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Teresaw40]

My wife is a carer so I undestand and frankly you need at least a month off if not longer or you will waste everything that has been done.

If you look at pinned posts there is one about the fact sheet with a link about half way down the thread.No EP I know of has had ablation so they really do NOT understand. I collated the fact sheet from patients experiences so you can trust it.

[Teresaw40 in reply to BobD]

Thank you very much Bob your replies & information are a great help. I will try to find those fact sheets.

Teresa

[Hidden]

That seems to be the format as others have stated..

The EP report successful Ablation unfortunately is not a written guarantee of a forever AF free life reasuring as it is to see this written in black and white...As ageing- lifestyle and natural progressive deterioration come into force things may change but hopefully not for some considerable length of time..

Try your best to care for yourself and be your own best friend...

Carol.

[opal11uk]

I was told by the doc who undertook my ablation that it had been 100% successful, after 2 weeks I realised that it had been far from successful and that in fact I was worse off that before having it, I now have a pacemaker and am so much better......no more ablations for me.

[grandmadogs]

Just after my ablation the EP told me he was really pleased and that I was in NSR and so had a better than 50% chance of it having worked. He is never one to be overly optimistic about anything! My son said 'Not much better than the flip of a coin then Mum'. I think that they do their best and hope it stays working but only time will tell.

[Cat04]

My discharge notes from hospital say "acutely successful ET-GP study ablation" and I was told immediately after the procedure that it had been successful so I suppose I just have to wait and see!

[KMRobbo]

On both my ablations I was awake and was told they were a success while on the table.

I suppose that there can be some changes after where Afib or flutter could reoccur later but I think my EP knew he had fixed what he thought needed fixing at the time.

I suppose the opposite would also be true and more accurate: if they could not fix what he thought needed fixing then they would know that had failed.

So if you have an ablation and they do not think it has failed there is a good chance it was a success!!

I believe they induce afib whilst they are doing the procedure So they can tell where the problem is coming from. I do not know how this us done.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to KMRobbo]

Correct See my original reply.

[Jhcoop55]

Usually takes 3 to 6 months before a more definitive assessment on success can be made