ABLATION: Costs and Paths to having Ablation carried out. NHS or PRIVATE.

[Hugo40]

My Cardiologist has suggested that I could choose to have Ablations carried out.

Not sure who he intends should do this. He is good at fitting Stents, Angiagrams & Angiaplasti. But he is not an EP and I would want to be sure that the person doing the Ablation is proficiscent and well practiced. I appreciate and helpful suggestion. I understand that I am getting close to the age when it is considered, "it not worth it", NOT AT ALL MY FEELINGS. And I would not take kindly to being given that advice by any of my official health advisors.

Arrhythmia Alliance are aware of the following advancement.

I will add a write up here on a RECENT DEVICE. New device (The AcQMap) ‘will revolutionise’ AFib treatment. The article is as follows:

New device ‘will revolutionise’ atrial fibrillation treatment for one million Britons

The AcQMap consists of a catheter, with a basket at its tip, that expands inside the heart. The basket is studded with ultrasound crystals that emit sound waves to gauge the heart’s shape (file picture)

Faulty electric signals in the heart that raise the risk of life-threatening strokes can be homed in on for the first time — thanks to a crystal bauble-tipped wand.

The AcQMap could revolutionise treatment for the one million Britons with atrial fibrillation, which is when the heart beats erratically — particularly where all other treatments have failed.

The device uses soundwaves to detect precisely where faulty heart beats are occurring, allowing treatment to be tailored to an individual patient’s needs.

Normally, doctors can’t pinpoint the problem and so treat the most commonly affected areas of the heart using ablation, burning away tissue through heat or freezing.

However, if this doesn’t work, it can weaken the heart rather than heal it.

Atrial fibrillation develops when electrical impulses in the heart are fired chaotically by tissue in the organ’s upper chambers, the right and left atrium, overriding the heart’s natural pacemaker. Symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness.

It tends to affect those over 65, those with high blood pressure or diabetes or those who are overweight. Caffeine or alcohol can also be triggers.

When the heart beats normally, its muscular walls tighten to push blood around the body. They then relax so the heart can fill with blood again.

With AcQMap doctors can see the pattern of electrical activity in the heart and zero in on the right are (file picture)

In atrial fibrillation, the atria contract randomly and, sometimes, so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax properly between each contraction. This means blood can pool inside the heart and form clots. If one of these clots reaches the brain, it can cause a stroke.

Treatments include blood-thinning drugs and catheter ablation, when a flexible thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein at the top of the leg and up into the top chambers of the heart, usually under local anaesthetic.

The tube is threaded into the areas of muscle to blame for most cases of atrial fibrillation. Heat-generating high frequency radio waves are transmitted through one of the tubes, to create scar tissue around the area sending abnormal signals, blocking them.

However, difficulty in finding the faulty tissue means that ablation may only work in two-thirds of procedures.

While it is possible to have a second or third ablation, each additional treatment involves extra cost and adds to waiting lists, with many patients waiting four to 12 months. Repeated procedures also risk further weakening the heart, if healthy tissue is unnecessarily ablated.

But now, with AcQMap, doctors can see the pattern of electrical activity in the heart and zero in on the right area.

Catheter ablation is one possible treatment for atrial fibrillation currently and involves a flexible thin tube being inserted into a vein at the top of the leg and up into the top chambers of the heart, usually under local anaesthetic (file picture)

It is expected that tailoring the treatment in this way will increase success rates, which will mean fewer repeat procedures.

The device consists of a catheter, with a basket at its tip, that expands inside the heart. This is inserted as a catheter would be during a normal ablation.

The basket is studded with ultrasound crystals that emit sound waves to gauge the heart’s shape, creating a 3D image.

It also contains electrodes which sense the heart’s electrical activity and superimpose it on the model, creating a real-time map of the areas behind the atrial fibrillation.

Finally, the device tracks the position of the ablation catheter, allowing it to be steered to the area causing the problem.

AcQMAP is only available in the UK as part of a European clinical trial called the RECOVER-AF study.

This involves 100 patients at 15 sites, including the Oxford Heart Centre at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH); The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough; Freeman Hospital in Newcastle; Barts Heart Centre at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, The Royal London Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital, all in London; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital; Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge and Glenfield Hospital in Leicester.

Participants will have their heart rate checked three, six and 12 months after initial treatment.

The trial is sponsored by Acutus Medical, the device’s U.S. manufacturer, with UK support from the National Institute for Health Research.

Dr Tim Betts, the study’s chief investigator and a consultant cardiologist at OUH, said: ‘This is an important step forward in offering an effective solution to people with atrial fibrillation.

‘It promises an individualised, focused treatment that should translate into higher success rates, particularly for those with very challenging arrhythmias.’

Trudie Lobban, founder and trustee of the Arrhythmia Alliance says: ‘Anything that is going to improve and enhance the detection of arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorders) is a great step forward for the millions who suffer the debilitating and sometimes fatal effects of these conditions.

‘If doctors are better equipped to map heart rhythm, patients will receive better treatments, leading to an improved quality of life.’

I would welcome further information. Hugo

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry but not sure what you are asking here? This forum is supported by Atrial Fibillation Association,. a branch of Arrhythmia Alliance with common CEO and many staff.

If you are asking who should do your ablation then obviously an electrophysiologist as normal cardiolgists are the plumbers not the electricians . Where or who is really up to you but you may need to have a private appointment first to establish contact with your chosen EP typically costing £250-£300. A private ablation seems to be between £15,000 and £20,000 but again costs can vary enormously often due to the "hotel costs" of any given hospital and any extra nights you may need.

[Hugo40 in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD

That's given me an idea of the costs, so it's worth trying to at least get the Ablation on the NHS.

Hugo

[Paulbounce]

When I first joined this forum Hugo I suggested members research the AcQmap procedure.

I still do.

Trials have just finished in the UK. I think give it a couple of years and it will start to become standard practise.

If (when) I have an ablation I`m going to ask for it - it fact I already have. I was unable to take part it the trials as I have not already had an ablation - however I have promising news that that they will do an ablation using AcQmap when I am referred. I emailed every hospital doing the trial in the UK and heard back from all of them. If anyone wants the doctors email addresses who deal with the procedure, shoot me a PM. It`s worth asking if you can be referred.

I`m really going to push for it. An ablation is to hit and miss IMO. AcQmap is very likely to make an ablation far more successful than it is at the moment.

Best,

Paul

[AfibofFleet in reply to Paulbounce]

Hi Paulbounce

I’ve only just been diagnosed and put on the list for ablation at Harefield. I’m very interested in the AcQmap. I noticed this post is 5months old. Have you had the procedure yet? Please may I have the contact email of the doctor that offers AcQmap.

Thank you