Update - one year after pace and ablate

[ilovecoffee123]

Hi everyone. My dad has had permanent AF for about 12 years. Various failed cardioversions and ablations later and unable to control it with medication, he had a CRT-P (biventricular pacemaker) implanted a year ago today. He had the AV node ablated in January 2018. He has severe heart failure and his EF (ejection fraction) which is the effectiveness of which the heart pumps was only 10%.

This week he had an echocardiogram and today we found out that the pump action / EF has improved greatly and now is at 45%! Normal is about 50%-55%.

The CRT-P device has helps the pump action along with 32mg of candestatin too.

The change in a year is unbelievable. He can run for buses.. walk all day.. decorate.. All sorts.. he still takes it easy but today’s news has reassured me that he’s well and I don’t have to worry so much about him!

I hope this post gives reassurance and hope to those why may be considering this procedure or who has recently just had this done and not seeing the benefits yet.

Much love

Michelle.

[Wodney1966]

Wow that's Brill news

[Alfieros]

Awesomeness.

[Hidden]

Fantastic post Michelle, you must be so pleased with your Dads improvement, thank you for making us aware......

[ilovecoffee123 in reply to Hidden]

I am! Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[Finvola]

Great news Michelle - your Dad must be so happy with the change in his life.

Thank you for posting this encouragement for what is a big step for people contemplating it.

[ilovecoffee123]

He is Finvola.. I know everyone is different and this is kind of last chance but it had changed all of our lives. My Mam works full time still and on shifts so it was down to me to do a lot of running around on evenings but I don’t have to now. Thank you for replying. It’s such a scary decision but we thought we had no alternative and it has worked out for the better.

[Buffafly]

So great that these new devices are able to help. My Dad died of heart failure caused by AF and COPD after he was told a pacemaker wouldn't help, maybe correctly, who knows, but really pleased for your family 😊

[ilovecoffee123 in reply to Buffafly]

Ah I’m so sorry to hear that Buffafly. They really do seem amazing.

[Barb1]

You have so reassured me for when my time arrives for Pace and Ablate.

[jennydog in reply to Barb1]

Me too. It's an amazing post and really appreciated. Posts like this really illustrate the value of this site.

[Diankayet]

Thank you for sharing the good news. I have been on the fence about this procedure. I’m so tired of the side effects with these drugs. Just don’t know the real me anymore. Good to know there is hope out there.

[Gincalpe]

Thanks for encouraging news - hope your Dad stays well.

[Bmwpaul1971]

Brilliant stuff. Great to hear good news 👍

[MarinaT]

A lovely, uplifting post!

[wilsond]

Grand news ! Thanks for reassurance.I do fear the future,as my mum and nanna had AF and HF,and even though mum had a pacemaker,( no ablation s though) she had 10% ejection like your dad and died from a huge stroke. This was in 2013,so it looks as if interventions etc are improving all the time.

You must be very relieved and happy,and your family! Just in time for Christmas too! XXX

[ilovecoffee123 in reply to wilsond]

Wilsond do you have AF? Do you think it’s hereditary? As I often wonder as I have a family history too. I’m sorry to hear about your mum, you think the pacemaker is going to solve things but it’s the HF that’s difficult as the damage is done isn’t it. Hope you are ok xx

[Dianemary]

Lovely to hear such good news!

[Andywolf]

Thanks for the good and encouraging news. Andy

[JoBrien]

So pleased for your dad and your whole family. 12 years suffering is such a long time and not feeling well. 😢. I wish him well and that he can now start to enjoy life as he should. How old Is your dad if you don’t mind me asking? I shall pass your post on to my husband to give him hope that he will feel normal again xxx

[ilovecoffee123 in reply to JoBrien]

Hi Jo he’s just gone 68 so was 57-ish when he was first diagnosed. It was controlled on and off for a while with tweaks to tablets etc but he’s intolerant to beta blockers which made it difficult to manage. Bless your husband.. the side effects of some medication are awful. My dad wishes he got the pace and ablate much sooner but they put it off and put it off until a last resort which I think is a shame as he may still be working now. Take care xxx

[Bettiehough]

I just had a hisbus pacemaker [3leads] implanted and will have an AV node ablation 3/12. Thanks for your post. It’s really reassuring that i am doing the right thing

[ilovecoffee123 in reply to Bettiehough]

Good luck, look forward to hearing your updates. Take care x

[netie54]

That’s really encouraging news. My husband had the same and on his last visit the pacemaker was working at nearly 100pc. We were very surprised because he didn’t have heart failure. I am looking forward to his next check on the pm to see what’s happening. I’m hoping it going to be like your Dads.

Thanks again for post.

[Alphakiwi]

so pleased for your dad. im awaiting the procedure as i have bad af. drug intolerant. excersise intolerant. thats hard to accept after being a life long athlete. thanks for the info re EF. i am fortunate in that respect as my EF is 61%

[ilovecoffee123 in reply to Alphakiwi]

My dad just couldn’t find a drug that worked and the pace and ablate was last resort. But he did wish he had it sooner as it completely changed his life. Good look with your procedure and take care.

[Alphakiwi]

look like i will have to wait a few months yet for treatment to start. Meanwhile i have to put up with sleepless nights due to the fact that my heart rate goes down while sleeping, about 31 and irregular. wakes me up feeling nauseas and out of sink. cant stay in bed so i get out and make cup of tea and take 30mg diltiazem and do some light excersises. this happens 2 to 3 times every night. i get on average 3hrs sleep per night and gets so exhausting. Excersising at the gym can be only 20 mins max otherwise heart rate goes the other way and ends up affecting me badly next day or so. Its a tricky thing and lousy to put up with. i think iam fortunate that i am still strong and healthy in other respects but if this goes on to long i will lose that id say. I must give thanks though for an amazingly healthy competitive life. I was age group competitive cyclist up until 3 yrs ago won 2 medals in 2017 World Masters Games, but had to give up even club rides 1 year ago. I am 78.