In afib again

[Mav74]

I am in afib again. Cardio version didn’t work. Should I do an ablation?

I have done the ablation before. I also have cll.. chronic lymphoma leukemia. On medicine for that.

Feel like my quality of life is not that great and wondering if another ablation is even worth trying.

Looking for advice.

Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

When you say the cardioversion didn't work do you mean that it never got you back in NSR or only for a short while? My thoughts are that if it didn't manage at all then ablation probably won't either and I would not expect a respectable EP to suggest it at this stage. Any and all treatment for AF is only about quality of life anyway so rate control with drugs is probably the best way forward now.

[Mav74 in reply to BobD]

Yeah It didn’t work at all this time.

[Mav74 in reply to Mav74]

This was done with a local cardiologist

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Mav74]

How may bangs/joules?

[Mav74 in reply to BobD]

No sure. Shocked once with implanted device. And twice with machine

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Mav74]

I would say that is that then.

[Mav74 in reply to BobD]

So no more? Just live with it?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Mav74]

There is no difference in outcome between rate and rhythm control, only QOL. Provided rate is well controlled and you are anticoagulated for stroke prevention then all should be well. Permanent AF is very common and many people live fairly normal lives. In fact not having the extremes of switching from AF to NSR and back makes life more stable for the most part as the body tends to accept the status quo.

[Fitandfearless in reply to BobD]

I’d agree. I’ve been in AF for 30 years, tried a few meds and settled on low-dose Bisoprolol which keeps it manageable. The biggest improvement in QOL has come since I started properly exercising - it’s really helped a huge amount with the AF - doesn’t even wake me up any more. Is this something you could try with a bit of help?

[Mav74]

Interesting ... thank you

[Ianc2 in reply to Mav74]

Hi Mav 74I

have had permanent AF for may years.and have had an ablation that worked well for a while. I have been offered another but the area to be got at is right next to a lot of complicated plumbing and wiring in a particularly thin bit of the heart that is difficult to get at get, with a strong chance of causing possible irreversible damage.

I agree with fit and fearless, you will probably find that things improve if you can become a reformed character and get your lifestyle exactly as you need it to be, lose weight if you need to, eat a very healthy diet, watch your sugar levels and take exercise. to slowly and gently pick up your stamina.

No easy answers or quick fixes, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and accept that things are not perfect. I have just come in from a 2 and a half mile walk, watching the trees bending in the gusts of wind and leaves flying in all direction. On a good day I can walk 5 or 6 miles, possibly a bit further if I can have a coffee and a cake half way round.

Don't give up. Be sure that it your fitness can slowly and gently improve and be certain in your determination to improve. Nice and Easy does it.

[Mav74 in reply to Ianc2]

Thank you! I do walk often. Am in pretty good shape. The afib makes me tired.

[PengieP]

I have had two ablation procedures to correct atrial flutter, one epicardial and the other catheter. I am very pleased with the results. If I were you would do it ASAP if your physicians agree it would help.

[CDreamer in reply to PengieP]

It’s a different procedure for a different condition - AFl ablation is a much quicker, simpler procedure . If a cardioversion failed it’s very unlikely for ablation to be successful and as Bob said, many EPs wouldn’t recommend it.

[JJHRT]

Always worth a try. Sometimes it takes more than one. Other times medication after ablation works when it didn’t work before.

[Foulplay]

If your cardiologist decides you need ablation talk to the doctor caring for the leukemia . Our friend had an ablation with lung cancer and got fluid around his heart and died.his cancer Doctor said they should not have done the ablation but it was too late. 1% of ablation cause fluid around your heart. Most people don’t have a problem with it.

[4Laur]

I’m sorry you’re going through this again.

Can I ask, hope you don’t mind ...Have you thought it may be connected in any way to your diet/ food -drink intake? Only, because I do believe that can play a part in AFib.

Best wishes, stay safe🦋