14 Months Success Story (so far).

[powellrdbill]

I decided to share my story of AF and hope it is helpful to others. I am a 75 yr old male living in central Florida. I inherited the AF from my mothers side of the family. My mother, one of her sisters, one of my brothers and one of my sons all have AF. I had 5 AF events starting in my late 40's that all required cardioversion to get back into sinus rhythm. In March 2019 I decided to try an ablation procedure. I picked an excellent surgeon cardiologist who does about 5-8 ablation procedures per week. He specializes in cryoablation (freezing of heart tissue).

The operation went well except for the one-night hospital stay. I had heavy bruising for about 2 weeks following the operation. I resumed all of my normal activities (golf, walking, bike riding and yoga) about 2 weeks after the operation. I was on Sotalol120 mg, 2T/day and Eliquis 5 mg 2T/d before the operation. After the operation I dropped down to 80 mg 2T/d about 2 months after the operation. I continue at that level today. I had planned to drop to 40 mg 2T/d after one year but the C-virus changed my plans. I do not want to take any risks as long at the C-virus is around every hospital. I will probably stay on 40 mg and the blood thinners the rest of my life.

So far, the results have be excellent but my last 2 AF events were 3 years apart. So I may not know how successful until I have 3 to 6 years without another AF event.

My take away is that if you are thinking about an ablation procedure, select your surgeon/cardiologist very carefully. I selected my surgeon after a great deal of research and am very glad I did. You want a hospital team that does this procedure on a very routine basis. You want a team that has seen it all with other patients. This is a risky heart operation and success if very much dependent on the skill and experience of the surgeon.

Good luck to all. Bill

[CDreamer]

Well done and great story and long may NSR continue for you. I hope your experience is encouraging for others..

My 2nd ablation lasted nearly 3 years so AF can and sometimes does return. Pacemaker seemed to be the answer for me and I have virtually no symptomatic AF, but it was a last resort option.

Just would like to say for clarification that in my opinion ablation has a very low risk of complications - I believe it is about 1% - but I entirely agree with you that having a competent, experienced Electrophysiologist is very important and doing thorough research pays off. I always asked my doctors their experience and their success rates and if they became defensive, I walked away.

In the UK you would only find the procedure attempted in specialist centres these days with very highly trained specialists. Back in the day, 2013, I was told to avoid anyone who performed less than 200 ablations a year and I had to travel to London (about 200 miles away which for UK - is a distance - although for you Stateside, Canada & Australia I know it would be almost next door! Nowadays, thankfully there are regional centres throughout England.

Also, just for those who haven’t had an ablation - it’s not surgery, no cuts, no large wounds to heal other than a very minor cut (1”) where the catheter enters the vein in the groin which can cause quite a lot of bruising.

[wilsond in reply to CDreamer]

Agree CD,but it doesn't always mean you get the EP you have chosen and researched carefully on the day. I asked Proff Osman if he would be doing the ablation he recommended for me..he said

' possibly,if not me it will be one of the team'

Which to be honest ,unsettled me very much at the thought of meeting my "ablationer" on the day of the proceedure! Could be their first time..they might not be very good...etc etc

I'd be a lot happier knowing I was in the hands of someone is chosen.

Part of the reason I have cancelled proceedure,sadly.

Hope you are ok xx

[CDreamer in reply to wilsond]

Unfortunately that is possible with the NHS however bear in mind this - all I can say is that I have treatments from members of Prof Shillinger’s team & all were excellent. The very fact they are on the team says that they are there because they are good and anyone, no matter what their reputation, can have an ‘off’ day.

[wilsond]

Thank you for sharing this good news

Great idea about choosing your surgeon,however in the UK it is a little tricky.

I carefully researched a surgeon with good reputation and experience, but in 6 appointments have only seen him once. Usually one of the junior Drs. I asked if he would do the ablation himself and he said ' possibly'

So on the day I could find myself with a surgeon I have no idea how good they are!

It has made me reconsider the whole thing! I could go private but can't afford 20,000 pounds +

I'm very glad yours looks like a success ,keep well and take care in these unsettling times Bill.

Best wishes

[Hermittguy]

I hope all continues to go well with your recovery powerellrdbill. Would you mind sharing the name of the surgeon you choose. I also live in Central Florida and may be needing this surgery myself down the road.

[CCW66]

Who was your ablation done by?