Ablation 3 years out

[cbmsrrrt]

Hi all, it's been a very long time since I posted. I am 3 years out from my ablarion in 2017 and (knock on wood) everything has been great with my heart! Except for the damage caused by inserting the urinary catheter prior to the ablation that has caused me to have 3 cystoscopies and 1 urethroplasty, with 2 more urethroplasties still to come. It has been a rough ride but my heart is feeling good (knock on wood, again). If you are going to have an ablation, please ask if they are inserting a urinary catheter and if you have any urinary history, discuss it prior to the ablation. It is one of the overlooked parts of the procedure and one I wish I was told about prior to mine. Good luck to all!

[pottypete1]

So sorry to hear about such an awful byproduct of having an ablation. I think it is an area of care that is sadly lacking in hospital.

I have also had to have a number of urinary catheters inserted during AF procedures, I have had 7 ablations. I found that passing urine was impossible naturally whilst in hospital, a combination of a state of tension and the effects of sedation and/or anaesthetic. I also had the same situation after a hernia operation.

Inserting the catheter is brutal normally done whilst under the anaesthetic but not always. Nearly always I have developed a urinary tract infection.

The need for the most basic of needs is totally ignored whilst being treated for unrelated conditions.

I really hope that your not insignificant problems are soon resolved.

Pete

[cbmsrrrt in reply to pottypete1]

Thank you, Pete! Yes, it is a necessary part of the procedure, a procedure I will never regret having done. With hope, faith and the skill of the urological surgeon, this will be resolved.

[pottypete1]

A friend of my wife had a bowl cancer operation recently. The operation seems to be successful so far. However she has had terrible problems with a urinary tract infection since (some weeks) because of the catheter she had to have.

Pete

[Gowers]

I didn't know they used urinary catheter - not heard of this before. Will be interesting to read about folks experiences of this. Great to know you have been af free - are you on meds?

[cbmsrrrt in reply to Gowers]

Gowers, I currently take 1 baby aspirin and a 25mg long release metoprolol once a day. Not bad considering I was on 50mg metoprolol, elequis and flecainide

[Gowers in reply to cbmsrrrt]

Wow! Yes, what a difference

[Desanthony]

Well with the coronovirus thing not sure that I will be having my ablation in the next couple of months but glad you posted this now as I will ask as I do have urinary problems. Usually here they do not use a urinary catheter unless you need one afterwards. Usually not inserted before any operation or procedure as I suppose it is better to be "normal" than have a catheter inserted for no need and then be open to infeciton.

[cbmsrrrt in reply to Desanthony]

I was not made aware until after the ablation (6 hours later) in the recovery room. Apparently, the nursing staff tried "several" times to insert the catheter, then called the urologist to place it. By then the damage had been done. The urologist used a guide wire to insert the catheter and that did not help matters, also. I was told they use 4 liters of fluid during the ablation (afterward it was done) and it had to be eliminated. Do a lot of research on all aspects of the procedure and ask questions - even if it seems you are a bother to the staff. I wish I had. That being said, I do not regret having the ablation because I have been AF free since having it done. I just wish I did not have to deal with the unrelated urologic complications.

[Gowers in reply to cbmsrrrt]

In what way do they use 4 litres of fluid? Interesting as I was not aware of this or read about

[cbmsrrrt in reply to Gowers]

I was told, post ablation, the 4 liters was used for irrgation for the ablation device.

[Desanthony in reply to cbmsrrrt]

Oh OK. Will definitely ask.

[Gowers in reply to cbmsrrrt]

Thank you for the reply

[Dawsonmackay]

Here in the States, it is mandatory for a urinary catheter because the ablation is typically longer than 2 hours. I have had it done 3 times for 3 ablations and the first time was just bad news.

[Cookie24 in reply to Dawsonmackay]

No catheter for my first ablation which was PVI. Catheter for the second ablation - RF which was much longer.

[jennydog]

I didn't have a catheter fitted when I had my RF ablation with GA. In fact, I had been so traumatised by an unnecessary catheterisation after the birth of my son that it would have totally put me off having the ablation. The pain was so bad, it was like being electrocuted. But I did have a catheter fitted after a recent operation with no pain and no effect.

[Marytew]

I have had two ablations and, like Jennydog, did not have a catheter inserted on either occasion (the last one being three years ago). If not for your post I would have assumed this would always be the case but now I know that I should ask about the possibility if there was ever a recommendation for me to have a third ablation. Thank you for your advice.