Waiting for ablation

[heathp1]

Hi

Just wondering of those who have had ablation for paroxysmal Atrial fibrillation..... was the first attempt successful? And how long have people remained symptom free?? Thank you

[pottypete1]

Most of those who have had a successful ablation don’t hang around here they get on with their lives.

The success rate is very good.

You should ask your EP outright what the statistics are for that particular hospital.

Those that have more than one ablation often find that things are much improved after a second or third.

Pete

[heathp1 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks. Forgot the folk who have had successful treatment won't be here!!!!!

[Hidden]

Suggest you read the 2 factsheets below that tell you about preparing for and recovering from an ablation. Success rates are dependent on so many different factors so best to read up as much you can then ask about anything you are not sure about..

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[heathp1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Jhcoop55]

First one failed, second one held for 18 months before returning. Now Back on meds with no issues or side effects. However, those with occasional AF generally do pretty well after a second ablation but I was an exception.

[heathp1 in reply to Jhcoop55]

Thank you

[Dodie117]

My first and only ablation was in November 2013. After a rocky 5 months , not painful but lots of bumps and arrhythmias, all went quiet. In NSR since then. BLISS!!

[Marcus30 in reply to Dodie117]

Hi Lallym,

Could I ask if caffeine/alcohol were triggers pre ablation and have you been able to indulge post ablation to any degree?

Cheers,

Marcus

[Dodie117 in reply to Marcus30]

I never found alcohol to be a trigger although may have been associated with me getting AF as I did like to overindulge. I do still have alcohol and caffeine but on a fairly limited basis.

[heathp1]

Thank you

[val757]

First ablation for paroxysmal AF in January 2017 and no recurrence since then.

[val757 in reply to val757]

PS I only hang around here from time to time to see what I can learn to prevent it returning!

[Marcus30 in reply to val757]

Hi Val,

Same question for all the success stories here, are you OK with alcohol post ablation? Was it a trigger prior?

Cheers,

Marcus.

[val757 in reply to Marcus30]

Hi Marcus

I’ve never been much of a drinker so knowing that it can be a trigger for some people I’ve been quite happy to avoid it. I’ve also been caffeine free for a few years and now try to eat more healthily. Sound boring? I enjoy life AF free, am always out and about now including holidaying on my own, and volunteer at Glastonbury Festival every year.

[Jay10]

Cryo ablation for PAF in 2008, only get couple of episodes a year( fingers xd) which I have a Pill in the Pocket for.

A real life changing op.

[Marcus30 in reply to Jay10]

Hi Jay, same question: Were you affected pre ablation by alcohol, and are you able to have the odd drink post ablation without concern?

Cheers,

Marcus

[GordonS in reply to Marcus30]

Hi Marcus, see my reply below re ablation. For me I could never really identify the triggers but mostly have decaffeinated tea and coffee. I stopped alcohol for a couple of months but had no symptoms when I resumed average about 15 units per week.

[Jay10 in reply to Marcus30]

Hi Marcus, I used to find that the Califorian wines set me off as well as certain diet tonics so even now I avoid those drinks.

I drink in moderation now and have no problem if I do have rather more than usual, this is on holiday when I am car free.

Caffeine free tea and coffee are my hot drink of choice.

[Hidden]

I have PAF and am awaiting an assessment for an ablation. I have been told that the success rate on first ablation is 70% by one hospital. Another said 60-70%. Different hospitals have different success rates and there doesn’t seem to be any way to establish these short of ringing the hospital itself. St Bartholomew’s claim to have “better than average outcomes”. There is also some debate concerning what constitutes “success” with regards to an ablation. A friend asked a retired American cardiologist friend about ablations, and he said that what was important was that the operator had conducted the procedure hundreds of times with a high success rate. If the operator has not conducted the procedure at least 25 times in a given year the success rate was lower. In other words, operator skill matters a lot in this procedure. If you have few so-called “hot spots” then the initial ablation is more likely to be successful. Risk of death is about 1 in 1000. Risk of stroke about 1 in 200. Risk of complication serious or not so serious is about 6%. The procedure itself, I have to say, does not sound like it is much fun.

[GordonS]

I had my first RF ablation for paroxysmal AF in 2010, adopted a healthier lifestyle, got myself fit and was AF free for 7 years. The beast came back in February and I have just had a Cryo-ablation 7 weeks ago, so far so good. Another 7 years AF free will be great.

[Mike11]

Mine was in early 2014 and I've been mostly AF free ever since. I do get AF when I catch a virus as my heart swells up, but it goes as soon as I get rid of the virus. My EP has offered a follow-up ablation if I want it as he's pretty sure he knows where the problem is.

[Sarah57]

First ablation in April 2016 and still ok so far... Bliss and vastly improved quality of life!

Good luck

Sarah

[djbgatekeeper]

Hi there, have a look at my profile as I have recently had a Cryoablation for paroxysmal AF and documented my experiences so far which have been good with a few blips here and there. You have to ride the storm a bit to get right it seems.... best of luck to you.

[KMRobbo]

I had an AF PVI cryo ablation left atria January 29th. According to EP It stopped the af then but I was still on drugs. Unfortunately 9 days later I developed Re entrant atrial flutter 9 days later , not had flutter previously, but nothi ng directly to do with the ablation but possibly promoted by the flecainide I was still taking and had an rf flutter ablation 26th Feb. This stopped the flutter in the lab.

I have not had any symptoms at all since except a few ectopics which I have now learned to ignore mostly,. I stopped flecainide 20ish April and stopped all other drugs after my 8th May EP follow up. Been off all drugs since may 15th. Felt loads better a month after I stopped the drugs know 95% back to what was normal!

I am still hanging around on this forum!