How many Ablations can you have, how many can you have

[shwills]

Hello

I am normally on the BHF site however I joined this site as my condition crosses into both

I have permanent AF, heart failure and 1st degree heart block

I have a small hole in my heart which was caused by having Ablations which have not worked.

The hole is going to be patched I am under Barts Hospital London have been for about 8 years

They are considering doing another Ablation to try and cure the AF but after 4 already I am not sure about it

However the AF has caused the heart failure so something has to be done

How many have anybody else done?

How many can you have done

Any comments will be helpful, however I do understand we are all different medically and our conditions are unique to us

[Padayn01]

I like to know the answer to this the small hole was that because the abalated the same area in your 4 ablations?

[shwills in reply to Padayn01]

Hello

I don’t know the answer to that I also have a few other smaller holes

[BobD Volunteer]

I think that depends on whether your EP is prepared to have another go. My EP who has done four for me has mentioned yet another (not all for AF) and I know of one member who has had seven.

[shwills in reply to BobD]

That is interesting someone on the site has had 7

I am wondering if it depends on the condition of your heart I have a pacemaker so think that makes a difference

[Buffafly in reply to shwills]

Has anyone suggested ‘pace and ablate’? You already have the pacemaker so half done already. After that the atria still fibrillate but the ventricles, controlled by the pacemaker, keep a steady pace. I guess that would be the option if the opportunistic (during the repair) ablation fails. What symptoms did you have from the hole?

[shwills in reply to Buffafly]

Yes you mean AV node ablation? It has been suggested many times but it is so final

Also I am unsure if this would stop the damage that the permanent AF has caused As I have heart failure because of this. My consultant says that my heart may fail if the AF is not cured, my rate is reasonable around 80/85

It is my rhythm that is the problem

I know that abate and pace you don’t feel the AF but does it still cause the damage?

[Buffafly in reply to shwills]

What does your EP say? I guess your atria would still be ‘damaged’ but your ventricles struggling to pump is what causes HF as I understand it, NMT but if it has been suggested to help there must be a good reason I think. I would have P&A tomorrow if offered precisely because it is final.

[shwills in reply to Buffafly]

That is. very informative thank you I will talk to him at my appointment just waiting now as the hole is going to be repaired but a solution to the AF needs to be found and done first

But still concerned about ablate and pace