AFIB free from CPAP and ASD

[1275]

Since we're talking recovery, I'd like to offer my experience. I presented with bradycardia and Afib in June 2016. I got an emergency pacemaker for the bradycardia. I then tried various meds for afib, none of which worked. I went to Dr. Huang at U of Rochester. After an ultrasound, he said to go right away and get checked for apnea. This was based on my enlarged left atrium. I did indeed have apnea and started using a cpap machine. After 5 months I was scheduled for an ablation. In preparation for that, they found I had an atrial septal defect (ASD), a hole between the two atria. I had the ablation, which went well - I was in flutter during it so that helped guide him.

The only problem at that moment was that I got a urinary tract infection from the urinary catheter. Those are barbaric! Can't they think of something better to manage your urine for 4 hours? I ended up with four courses of antibiotics, two visits to a urologist, one to the emergency room and infection in my prostate. Not good, but it turns out my case wasn't unusual.

About another six months later I had the ASD repaired, also laparascopically. This went fine. On my return checkup visit for the ASD, the surgeon was very happy and said that both of my atria had receded to their original size! I think because of that - the ablation, the CPAP and the ASD repair - I have had no recurrence of afib for three and a half years now. I'm about to get off xarelto, the only remaining drug I took.

The people at Rochester were very professional and proficient.

Hope this story is helpful to others.

[BobD Volunteer]

Strange re the catheter. Although I had one following prostate cancer surgery I have never been given one during any of my ablations. Why would they?

[1275 in reply to BobD]

They said they had to keep me well hydrated and the whole thing took 4 hours. They didn’t know anything else to do for the urine.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to 1275]

Following prostetectomy I have slight residual incontinence dealt with using a simple layette.

[Madscientist16 in reply to BobD]

Since I had no food or water for 12 hours before the ablation procedure, I had glucose by IV to prevent dehydration and a urine catheter. Both were removed after the procedure, when I was allowed to get up and move around. I am in the US.

[Rubymurray25]

Thank you so much for sharing. My Apnea was missed for years and I have to say 18 months on having used CPAP and 2 ablations later, your post has given me hope, and oh boy we all need " Hope ".

[secondtry]

Thanks 1275 and Bob's follow-up re catheter, which I have to admit is a lifelong dread of mine to avoid at all costs. I know nothing about what is essential but agree they need to find a way around it.