FLUTTER ABLATION EXPERIENCE

[Shcldavies]

Had my first ablation last Tuesday, 2 week early due to a cancellation at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by Dr Lang and offer the following from my personal experience.

Stoped Bisoprpolol and Digoxin on the Friday as instructed. Think I had some withdrawal symptoms on Saturday and then had brief spell of SVT on Saturday evening, felt good from Sunday. Stoped eating on Monday at 2000 and drinking at 2300, stoped Rivaroxiban on day of procedure.

Arrived at Hospital at 0800, taken to my bed, had cannula fitted (slight scratch only). Told I would be in at around 2pm. Long wait not good, had some palpitations (don't know what kind) for about 2 minutes mid morning.

Taken to catheter lab about 2:40, went through some clerical checks then got wired up to ecg and pad on back. Had some cleansing liquids on my groin area where the catheters were to go. Injected into groin area (quite uncomfortable) and asked if I was having sedation and told it will be coming shortly. Had the first catheter inserted (momentarily very painful made me sit up and ask for sedation again told it will be coming shortly). Another injection in groin (felt scratch only) followed by second catheter (quite painful momentarily not as bad as first catheter). Did not feel the catheter moving up to heart or the wires moving into and around heart, fell asleep (sedation finally started to work). Woke-up to see screen with wires moving about in heart, told they were going to do some ablating (unpleasant burning sensation in heart during ablating). As far as memory serves there were 3 ablations lasting from about 10 seconds to about 20 seconds. Told that I did not have flutter but MAT, some had been ablated but could not successfully ablate all, would have to rely on drugs. Catheters removed and pressure put on groin to stop bleeding.

Moved back to ward, felt disappointed that it had not worked and wondered how flutter was not found, felt good no pain and groin area just had loose gauze over the wounds. Laid horizontal for 2 hours then at an angle for 2 hours during which time Dr Lang told me that I had not got flutter, the flutter I had in December was a result of taking the Flecainide he had prescribed back in August, he did some ablating but there was still many sites that he could not ablate and confirmed that I have MAT which will be treated with drugs. Had to start back on Biso 2.5, Dig 1.25 and Rivaroxiban the next day. Cannot remember too much due to sedation so lots to ask in my follow up.

Felt good the day after but had many funny uncomfortable (not fast) beats on Thursday. Near fainted in shower on Friday, then felt fine later. Currently heart rate varies from 39 to 65 at rest (overnight average of 41), goes up to 97 on slight activity. PB good at 105/62 but doing very little (listened to BobD) - not sure if this is normal or something is wrong? Perhaps I should stop the meds? Any advice very welcome.

Anyone going for their first ablation and would like some more detail please ask, I will happily share my experiance.

[BobD Volunteer]

As we make clear in our fact sheet it is far too earlyt o worry and this all sounds normal, raised heart rate is common and may even take some months to return to normal

[Shcldavies in reply to BobD]

Thank you it's alway good to have it confirmed, I have read the fact sheet many times and take comfort from it, your efforts in helping putting it together are much appreciated. I am happy with my BP and that my heart rate does increase on exertion and does not go too high or in arythmia, my only concern is the slow heart rate in the 40s as I have not read any posts on such.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Shcldavies]

Probably the bisoprolol.

[Shcldavies in reply to BobD]

I think so to as my heart rate was fine the day after (before the biso kicked in) and Dr Lang asked me to change the dose if I felt it would be of benifit. Normally would have lowered to 1.25 by now but I will wait to speak to Dr on Monday as I am not sure if I should also reduce the Digoxin in half as well.

[Hidden]

Early days. I can’t see any reasons to be concerned about your medication. Do you really need to be checking your heart rate and BP regularly?

[Shcldavies in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I have a Fitbit so getting my heart rate is quite easy, I do my BP when I go to bed and in the morning, mainly to give me some piece of mind.

[Petrified in reply to Shcldavies]

To be honest I ditched checking out the numbers months ago and was much more relaxed.

[Shcldavies in reply to Petrified]

Thank you probably good advice

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Shcldavies]

STOP IT! Keeping checking is a recipe for stress creation. Lock it in a drawer and get on with your life.

[Shcldavies in reply to BobD]

I know your right but! I also have to check my pulse as I must not take the Digoxin if it goes below 60, that said I do still take it when at 55 but been taking it ate 45 for last 3 days, yesterday took it at 41 and did not feel good. Stopped it today as pulse was 40 at rest, right now feeling good. Over analysing I know but just cannot help it, seeing GP tomorrow.

Hats off to you Bob for all the advice you continuously provide, you really are a "go to" for us all.

[Petrified]

Had ablation yesterday for AF and for flutter in the Golden Jubilee Clydebank. Had opted for GA. I was admitted at 7.15am, taken first and discharged at 7.30pm. Told 90% chance of success with the flutter and 70-80% with the AF. To stay on the dreaded meds until review in two months. We're so lucky in the UK having the NHS. Everyone is so kind and attentive and we don't have the financial concerns that seem to dog people elsewhere. I've found this site extremely helpful, particularly when first diagnosed when I was quite petrified. Difficult to get your head round when you've never experienced anxiety before. Many of the frequent 'posters' give such helpful, practical and informative advice - much more so than any of the medics. Bob, jeanjeanie, jedimaster and the others a big.thank you all. A bit sore today but traveling hopefully.

[sewingscissors]

I would like to agree with Petrified that we are so lucky to have our NHS. I had an Ablation for Flutter ten days ago at the Bristol Heart Institute and could not have had better care. I was really worried about the procedure, but it was fine. I didn’t feel any pain and must have had plenty of sedation as I couldn’t stand upright and had to stay the night! I have had no problems with the wound site, so have been lucky. Now I am resting as much as possible to give my poor heart time to heal. I too have found so much help from people on this site and would say to anyone about to have an Ablation, don’t worry, the waiting is the worst!

[pablojack]

No ablation, only cardio version but heart rate and blood pressure same as yours. I take candesartan but stopped bisoprolol after missing a couple and found I felt better without. My resting heart rate is low forties but does increase to over 100 with exercise. I also have a fitbit and although it is accurate at rest, any movement at all makes it jump to 60/70 which is clearly incorrect. ( I check with BP monitor). In my opinion the fitbit is useless for measuring heart rate unless at rest.

[Shcldavies in reply to pablojack]

Thank you for your reply, I agree the Fitbit is no good for the more extreme heat rates/rhythms.