Awaiting assessment for an ablation...

I am awaiting an assessment for an ablation (for PAF diagnosed 4-5 months ago) at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. I chose this over Basildon, partly because it would be easier to get to, and because I was advised it was particularly good. Basildon has already sent me an appointment for Nov 5th before the referral was redirected to St Bartholomew’s - much sooner than I expected. Assuming St Bartholomew’s likewise offer an appointment for an assessment in a week or so, does anyone know how likely it is the cardiologist will want me to have the ablation more or less immediately? It would be more conveneient to have it early next year, maybe after January. But does anyone know if a three month delay would be acceptable ? So far as I know there is nothing about my case which would make it very urgent- I have to admit that I have been startled by the speed of the response from Basildon. I was hoping to be at the back of a long queue, not least, because the prospect of having the procedure is very alarming.

[CHRISAF18]

Gosh I would go with where you feel most confident. I can only tell you that Basildon is a fantastic hospital people come from all over to have their operations it is a separate building and amazing. Not had an ablation so can't tell you but suffice to say if I needed an op I would go wherever it could be done first. Good luck.

[BobD Volunteer]

Waiting lists can vary but typically three to six months. Some hospitals are up to a year.

[wilsond in reply to BobD]

UHWC is 18 months! Huh!

[jennydog]

Convenient access is vital for me.

Go where you feel most confident. I had to wait 3 months after my EP consultation.

Pleased do not be alarmed about having an ablation. It is very routine and nothing to be scared about.

[AbFab62 in reply to jennydog]

I second that. Having suffered paroxysmal, lately persistent AF for 30 years I finally got to see an EP, rather than a cardiologist, in January this year. He told me that I should have been offered an ablation years ago, as the longer you have the condition, the less likely the procedure will be successful. He gave me a 50% chance of success, but still recommended that I have an ablation.

Over the past two years the frequency of my AF had increased greatly and I was in AF for approx 30% of my life. Generally I wouldn't go more than a week in sinus rhythm before having an AF attack, lasting between 2 to 6 days. I had my ablation 8 weeks ago which went without any complications. Initially I was back in sinus rhythm (SR), but this only lasted two days. During the first 4 weeks after the procedure I was in AF as follows; 2 days in SR, 5hrs in AF, 3 days in SR, 10 days in AF, 4 days in SR, 7 days in AF, 4 days in SR, 33hrs in AF, 9 days in SR, 34 hrs in AF. I have now been in sinus rhythm for 16 days,which is the longest time I've been without an AF attack for a very long time.

Whether the procedure has worked only time will tell, as it takes 3 or so months for the scar tissue to fully form/heal, but the signs are good. I can feel my heart 'wanting' to go into AF, i.e. ectopic beats that are normally a precursor, but the scar tissue seems to be doing its job of blocking the erratic electric signals and my heart is remaining in sinus rhythm.

If I was in your position I'd definitely have the procedure, as it's pretty routine these days and the earlier you have it, the more chance of it being successful. Do though allow yourself at least a two week recovery period of doing very little. I'm generally pretty fit, but the ablation did knock the stuffing out of me for a bit, but 8 weeks on I feel fine.

Whatever you choose, good luck.

[Brizzy5000]

I had to wait a year for my ablation and by then my quality of life was rubbish so go with it and try not to worry