Ablation for a 96 year old

[hallpatty2549]

I'm 70 years old & had an ablation in February 2019 which was successful; I haven't been in afib since. My question regards my mother-in-law who will be 96 in March. After years of dealing with afib her cardiologist recommends that she have an ablation. My concern is what risks does she face at her age? Is this a good idea? I would appreciate input.

[jeanjeannie50]

How bad is her AF?

[hallpatty2549]

It’s pretty well controlled by medication but she sometimes gets that mixed up & that causes problems. She will not accept any help with her medications.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to hallpatty2549]

As her AF is controlled, then no, I wouldn't even consider having an ablation at her age. I've had 3 and still have AF.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Any and all treament is only ever for quality of life so unless this is a weeze to get round her issues taking drugs properly I would have none of it. Ablation is a very safe procedure but nothing is without risk. Why not speak to pharmacy about having her pills blister packed.

[hallpatty2549 in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD for your reply. I think clearly from the responses the family needs to ask more questions in front of her doctor with her present. My mother-in-law already has a pace maker.

[Jalia]

I'm in complete agreement with Bob. Can't imagine why a 96 year old would have to undergo an ablation . It is hardly a walk in the park.

[10Snut]

Amen, recovery is not easy and DR. should have talked to you about that. Just give her love and say those prayers.

[allserene in reply to 10Snut]

Unless the family are anti-theists like me and mine lol...

[hallpatty2549 in reply to 10Snut]

I thought recovery from my Ablation was challenging but didn't volunteer that since recovery is different for everyone. It seems review with doctor is an absolute must!!!

[jennydog]

I asked my EP, in Liverpool UK, if there was an age limit for ablation. He said 80.

It would be a colossal undertaking for a 96 year old. I suspect that any benefits would be minimal.

[seasider18 in reply to jennydog]

I'm 85 and have been offered them as well as an AV node ablation and refused them in each of the past five years. It was left at if you change your mind phone me.

[goldfinger88]

Even in the best of health, your MIN could not have that many years left and a procedure could make things worse for her as they do for many people. She could end up with a pacemaker. If she can be controlled with medication, in my own personal opinion as a 75 year old, I would, if it were my decision, opt to do so. If she gets meds mixed up or gets confused about them, she needs someone to assist her and make sure she gets the right meds at the right time. In her case, it looks like her family could assist in that or get her help. But the decision is hers or whoever is responsible for her. I personally think at her age, the risks more than likely are greater than any benefits she might get. But I could be totally wrong and I'm just giving you my opinion. I have not had the procedure myself and do not want to have it.

[Japaholic]

I agree with Bob, to be fair I can’t add anything else.

[Enjoy]

I had my ablation on my 82nd birthday 3+ years ago. So pleased I did as I now have trigeminal neuralgia plus a meningioma. To add AF to that would certainly make my quality of life even tougher.

[hallpatty2549 in reply to Enjoy]

So sorry to hear about your struggles...wishing you the best!

[Enjoy in reply to hallpatty2549]

Thank you so much for your good wishes

[allserene]

It's not the same, but my mother had a hysterectomy in Leeds at age 92, and she just shrugged it off more easily than all the 50 year old women I used to work with ...

[Hidden]

I would have thought that such a recommendation would be coming from a US doctor where profit seems to be the driving force in medicine.

When my Dad was on his deathbed with Respiratory failure, a cardiologist wanted to do a an angiogram and possible angioplasty on him. The Nurse Practitioner and his other ICU nurses were horrified. Thankfully, he was still lucid and was able to decline the procedure on his own. That did not stop the doctor from haranguing both of us during his last day on earth and waking him in the middle of the night saying if he was going to have the procedure he needed to get pre-op meds right then and there.

I was keeping a vigil at his bedside and the morning he died, I went home at 3am to shower and change my clothes because he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. No sooner did I leave than his NP called to tell me a nephrologist wanted to put him on Dialysis because his kidneys were shutting down, and that I better get back there quick. I raced back to the hospital and I declined permission, citing his advanced directive, which specifically ruled out dialysis. But, that did not stop this woman from badgering me some more at his bedside.

I also declined to have him intubated as per his advanced directive. As a compromise I allowed them to use a CPAP to see how things went. After meeting with his Nurse Practitioner, she said I needed to let him go as all his organs were shutting down. So, she took off the CPAP and put him on Oxygen. But, as soon as she turned it down to a normal level, he slipped into a coma and was gone within 20 minutes. He had a very peaceful passing. His NP had to physically bar the door to keep out specialists who the cardiologist had called in, including a urologist, a gastroenterologist and pulmonologist so that we were able to spend our last moments together in peace and quiet.

If the profit mongers had their way, he would probably still be on a ventilator, getting dialysis and running up the bill.

Oh, and after he died they were after me for organ donation. They wanted his corneas and skin. The organ donation team tied me up for over an hour answering questions. I needed to get to the funeral home to make arrangements. After all that, he was rejected in the end because he had Shingles within the past year.

And this all took place at a Methodist hospital.

[hallpatty2549 in reply to Hidden]

I am almost reluctant to say yes we are in the US. You are reminding me of my experience with my dad who died 15 years ago & the challenge I faced in the hospital turning down further treatment for him. I still struggle some with my decision not to intervene with procedures & medications. Congratulations on your brave decision.

[Hidden in reply to hallpatty2549]

I am absolutely at peace with the decisions I made. His face at death was one of total peace. I only carried out his wishes. I don't know what I would done if I had not had the Nurse Practitioner at my side guiding me through the process. My wife had to make similar decisions for her father and had the full support of his Hospice Care Team and the nursing staff at the Assisted Living Facility. She declined dialysis for her father and had to affirm his Do Not Rescusitate order. We had no second thoughts.

My Mother was a different story. She had a directive stating that she wanted everything possible done to save her life, no matter what. She gave my Sister her health care POA. That got dragged out for nearly a year and the hospital went to court so they could pull the plug because there was no hope for recovery. It was an awful situation and I am so glad I was not involved in it in any way.

We have our wills, health care advance directives, durable power of attorney and health care power of attorney taken care of. We gave both POA's to our younger son because we trust him to carry out our wishes, which is basically to not have any interventions. Don't trust the other son at all. He would always be figuring the financial angle and put his interests above ours. And surprise, surprise he is not the Executor of our estates either!