AV Node Ablation

[royal8]

I would like to hear from those who have had AV/NODE Ablation procedure?

Success, recovery time, comments.

[CDreamer]

Please describe what you would call ‘success’?

Have you already got a pacemaker?

AV node will not stop AF but it may help reduce the impact of symptoms of AF. It may not stop you feeling the palpitations.

I was due for one but cancelled because the pacemaker was affective for me at stopping the majority of my AF and nearly all of the symptoms.

As far as I am aware, there are quite a few people who have had the AV node ablation, with varying results regarding lessening of symptoms.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

The two people I know both feel their AF despite it.

[shirlygirly]

Hi, I had pace and ablate about 1 year apart. The pacemaker alone

did nothing to stop the af Im afraid and my symptoms were such

normal life was impossible. I hated the idea of av node ablation but

in the end couldnt get it done quick enough. It took some getting used to.

My energy levels were very low for weeks and to be honest I thought

I would never have a (normal) life again. I read of other peoples experiences and asked my EP how to regain some energy and his advice

to try and keep up my habit of walking as much as I feel able. I had thought

that walking as much as I had started doing would maybe too much but

his advice was carry on, best thing you can do. Some days I just have to push myself even when I dont really feel like it, I do feel better by the time I get back. I go morning and afternoon for up to an hour, that combined with

my household jobs takes me to 8 to 10 thousand steps. I do very occasionally still feel the af mainly at night, but its never that bad so doesnt bother me. I just

want to stop my HF from worsening, I have a lot to live for Im not done

yet. I hope Ive made you feel its not the end of

the world, as it feels that way when told thats what you need.

[CAThouse123]

I haven’t had my AVNODE ablation done yet as it has been cancelled several times I had a pacemaker fitted last September which only controls when my heartrate is two low but I am not sure about the AVnode as it is so final but my EP says that I need to have it done as it’s the only thing that will help as no medication works for me

[playcards]

As long as you understand this is just my comment and we are all different .....

I had an ablate and pace 9 months ago. (I already had a pacemaker/ICD in place). I was totally naive, hadn't registered the fact that not everyone necessarily feels better etc. I felt better immediately and within 48 hours my quality of life had gone from about 25% to at least 90%. Every morning I wake up feeling so grateful and lead a pretty normal life.

My big bugbear is that I still struggle with walking, which used to be one of my great joys - I can't go fast enough and get tired. I know half of my heart is still fibrillating but I don't feel it.

Good luck!

[ETFCfan]

I’m really interested in this as well. I’m waiting for my third ablation. I was told in February that a third ablation was needed but as soon as possible and it was put as urgent as apparently the longer that you are in persistent AF the less chance of it working. A pace and ablate was mentioned as a final option if it didn’t work but not really discussed. Obviously as things have turned out who knows how long so I want to be informed of pace and ablate in case I’m offered it instead.