Complication during ablation

[debbiea042000]

Hi folks

I had my third attempt at radio frequency ablation last Wednesday. (I had number one 15 yr ago as radio and cryogenic one 9 months ago) Although this reduced my AF episodes I am aging too and want to reduce the medication, instead of increasing it, which is happening at the moment.

Unfortunately an hour in the ablation they pieced the heart and I ended up with cardiac tamponade.... Four pint transfusion and lots of drainage the need to fix it by open heart surgery was averted. I think it shook up the medical team and most certainly shook me....Back home two days later and given a week off work.

Has anyone else had this ? Were you ok to go back to work after a week?

Although my ablation went awry I understand this is rare and still believe it's the risk worth taking compared to long term meds and enlarged over worked heart etc... In two months going back for check up and discuss another go. Here's to a good session next time. Debbie

[Kaz747]

Sorry to hear this Debbie. I’ve always said that risks may be small for complications, say 1 in 1000 but if you’re the one it’s not a good thing. It must have been quite traumatic. Did you have a GA or sedation?

I haven’t had a complication like that during an ablation. I went back to work a week after my first ablation which was a simpler one for SVT. There’s no way I could have gone back to work soon after my first atrial fibrillation & atrial flutter ablation- I ended up back in hospital for 3 days 2 weeks later with different complications (fast AF, pericarditis, gastritis) and was unwell for months. My last ablation was 10 days ago and whilst I feel pretty good this time I think I would struggle with long hours and commuting. I will hopefully go back to work soon though.

Were they able to complete the ablation or are you still likely to have AF episodes? I would think you’d ideally want a couple of weeks off but of course I’m not a doctor. Sending my best wishes your way.

Karen xx

[debbiea042000 in reply to Kaz747]

Thank you Karen for your good wishes. All my ablations have been via sedation but they have said next time under GA. It sounds like you've had a lot to contend with too...I wish you better health and a speedy recovery x

[Kaz747 in reply to debbiea042000]

Thanks Debbie - I’d take a GA over sedation any day. 😃

[CDreamer]

So sorry to hear that Debbie - sounds like a very scary time for you. Personally I would think about giving yourself a LOT more time to recover and I wouldn’t even think about going back to work for 4-6 weeks. Please consult your doctors for more advice but recovering from the stress alone is really important for a full recovery as stress is probably the biggest factor in not only preventing dis-ease but to enable healing.

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

[debbiea042000 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you I agree even though I am bored at home when I try to do something I feel like I've been thumped by Big Daddy (you maybe too young to remember him lol ) Best wishes to you

[CDreamer in reply to debbiea042000]

Oh no, I remember him very well! X

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry to read that Debbie and yes these very rare complications do happen . I had a million + to 1 event during a simple procedure a couple of years ago which was a real OH S--t moment for the people attending. MY thinking it that we are in the very best place if such did happen so I survived albeit with a few broken ribs. We all sign the consent forms and I suspect every one of them includes possible death but we don't ever expect it to happen.

What concerns me far more in your post is that you say they gave you a week off work! Not nearly enough!!. We recommend AT LEAST two weeks for a successful ablation so don't rush back and make sure that you are ready when you do.

[debbiea042000 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob thank you for your message...Agreed we never think we will be "the one" mentioned in the list of complications...sorry to hear of your complications and hope you feel better now.....I'll take your advice re two weeks although easily bored when I do small things it certainly lets me know I've been through the wars. Kind Regards Debbie

[Hidden]

Debbie...how absolutely terrible for you to experience all this. I would have thought that you would need at least a few weeks off work certainly more than A week!

Sending best wishes for your recovery

Sandra

[debbiea042000 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[VeeT]

Hello Debbie

I had cardiac tamponade too during my first and only ablation. I was sedated and watching with great interest at what was happening on the screen beside the lab table. The next thing I knew I woke up in HDU. I was strapped to the bed for 2 days so I couldn't move. I was discharged 4 days later . The EP came to see me after 3 days and told me it was his first tamponade but luckily he'd just read a paper about it. I think a week is far too early to be thinking of going back to work. I was told not to climb stairs for a week - once I came down in the morning not to go back up again until bedtime. Everything healed well though I did have episodes of AF for a while afterwards . I think it took me a month to feel completely well and confident about going out by myself . I certainly don't regret having the ablation in spite of what happened.

Best wishes Debbie and hope you feel great again soon.

Vee x

[debbiea042000 in reply to VeeT]

Thank you Vee for your good wishes and sorry to hear you went through it too... it is a weird thing to see your own heart in 3D colour on the screen..and then when told of a possible surgery due to complications just to say "ok" and only days afterwards to think ...what the hell !!!! I will be going to GP to extend my leave to two weeks cus still scared of the "what ifs". All the best to you Debs x

[VeeT in reply to debbiea042000]

A good idea to get more time off work Debbie. My tamponade was 3 years ago last December so I've forgotten most of how I felt. After I'd replied to you I put tamponade into the Search and found the posts I'd put up shortly afterwards. My biggest problem was lack of confidence.

Take it easy for a while.

Vee x

[Jafib]

Sorry to hear of your ordeal Debbie. I’m glad you are past it and recovering! The doctor that did my ablation at Penn said they put all their patients completely out for an AF ablation. Where did you have yours done?

[debbiea042000 in reply to Jafib]

Hi .. I had my done at Glenfield Leicester...they said they will do it GA next time but opposite to Penn they usually like to do there's by sedation ....both have risks .... but going to give it another go with some trepidation I must admit but working on the premise lightening doesn't usually strike twice x. All the best to you too x

[Jafib in reply to debbiea042000]

The trepidation is understood but I am glad you are not letting fear make your decisions. Better days are ahead!!

[LMor]

I am so sorry this happened to you....I wish you a speedy recovery..I had my ablation the beginning of February and it’s only been this week I feel okish. I did have some fluid around my heart (only small) which has caused me ongoing pain, but that’s subsided. I took three weeks off work and went back on reduced hours. It’s definitely been more difficult than I anticipated. A week is not enough time to go back. I was told to not lift anything for the first, so how can you then go back to work. Listen to your body

[debbiea042000 in reply to LMor]

Thank you I will I have asked for another week otherwise I'd be back tomorrow and all of a sudden it feels too soon. I send best wishes for your continued health x

[Barb1]

What an awful experience and what a positive attitude you have. Yes please take at least 2 weeks off work and don't be quick pongo back. Any chance of part time for a while?

[Barb1]

Pongo? to go back

[MarkS]

Are you sure you want the next ablation at the same place? Also do you know if it was the consultant or a registrar who pierced your heart? When you go back to see the consultant, I would say you're considering your options in view of the mistake as you most certainly don't want a repeat and you want the best job possible. That at least might concentrate his mind a bit if you do go back to the same one. He'll want you to do that as he would hate it if you spill the beans to another EP who know doubt he would know. That gives you quite a bit of power.

I hope you recover well.

[debbiea042000 in reply to MarkS]

Thank you for your message Mark it was the registrar that operated. And agreed I think I should have the big cheese do it next time preferably whilst I'm fast asleep

.thank you for your kind wishes x

[irene75359]

So sorry to hear about this, that must have been a really worrying time for you (and the medical team). A week off? Even when everything has been straight forward the advice is to take considerably more time than that. When I had to sit still after an op I spent the time getting our family photograph albums up-to-date and in chronological order (obviously this was pre digital cameras!). It kept me out of mischief. Wishing you well and do look after yourself - physically (and mentally).