Confused

[Flaka]

What is the difference between cyroablation and simply ablation? I am see a new doc on 8 May to see if I am a candidate from ablation but after reading all these posts I am thoroughly confused. I am also seeing a procedure called cardioversion so am really confused now.

[Kaz747]

A cryoablation uses extreme cold to destroy tissue and a radio frequency (RF) ablation uses heat. There are a number of different areas in the heart where rogue tissue causes arrhythmias. The most common ablation for atrial fibrillation is a pulmonary vein Isolation (PVI). There are four veins that bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium in the heart. Rings (heat or cold) are made around each of the veins to stop the electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation.

Other arrhythmias that require ablations at times (often in the right atrium) are atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome. Sometimes you’ll see the term SVT or Supra Ventricular Tachycardia and see reference to an SVT ablation - this term refers to any fast arrhythmia in the atriums (above the ventricles).

There are two types of cardioversion. A chemical cardio version is when doctors administer fairly large doses of drugs intravenously to try and restore a regular rhythm. A Direct Current (DC) cardioversion is when doctors give you an electric shock to try and restore the rhythm. I liken it to when you call the IT help desk and they tell you to switch the computer off and on again to see if that fixed the problem.

[Flaka in reply to Kaz747]

Wow. Didn’t realize there were so many variations of A Fib. The EP I had been seeing never explained any of that to me. Hope the new Doc I am seeing next month will explain things better. Thanks for explaining the different variations of the procedure to me.

[icklebud99 in reply to Flaka]

In my experience the professionals don't offer lots of information unless you ask specifics so I always go with alist of questions.

[CDreamer in reply to Flaka]

The other arrythmias that Kaz mentioned are NOT AF - which describes a particular pattern of arrythmia in the left atria.

Have you visited the AFA and downloaded and read all the information? There are full explanations here including treatment options and explanations of what they are

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Kaz747 in reply to Flaka]

As others have clarified the AF is one type of arrhythmia. Often people just have AF, sometimes we have a combination of arrhythmias. I’ve been diagnosed with Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia, Atrial Flutter and Atrial Fibrillation (lucky me 😃🎉).

[Hambo444 in reply to Kaz747]

4 veins is the norm but I think you can have 3 or 5 too. I had 5.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Kaz747]

Are you trying to do me out of a job Kaz. Couldn't have explained it any better.

Flaka these are not all AF but they are all arrhythmias which mean that the heart is not beating correctly. Atrial Fibrillation is just the most common arrhythmia. Go to AF Association website and read all you can so you are prepared when next you have an appointment.

[Kaz747 in reply to BobD]

Sorry Bob - not trying to steel your job 😂😂

[Flaka in reply to BobD]

All I have ever been told is that I have paraxomal a Fib. The EP I have been seeing when explaining the procedure is that he goes in an ablates all the nerves not just the ones misfiring and I didn’t like that so have just continued to live with it but for the past few months my episodes have been happening more often and lasting much longer so have an appointment with a EP in another town that is well thought of and I have spoken with a friend who had the procedure done by him and has not had one episode in the almost 10 years since the procedure so I have an appt to see him on 8 May. Hopefully I can have all my questions answered. But I have to do something as I am afraid my AF IS CONTINUALLY lasting longer and longer so the time has come to take action.