Ablation after 3rd Cardioversion

[queseyo]

Last week it was my third cardioversion and still feel some sort of arrhythmia after it. My cardiologist suggested to have an ablation...I'm skeptical about...I'm 82!

[Hidden]

Hello queseyo, some say age is just a number, but I can understand why you are skeptical. Whilst an ablation is seen as a low risk procedure, I would imagine risk levels tend to increase with age but I am not medically trained, it’s just an opinion based on logic. It would be useful if your Doctor could confirm what type of arrhythmia you might have because if it’s Atrial Flutter, it’s generally easier, more successful and therefore safer to ablate than Atrial Fibrillation. That said, an ablation is not a cure, it is a treatment which helps to control symptoms so a lot depends on how the arrhythmia is affecting you. If it is not adversely affecting your quality of life, then maybe you should leave well alone, but we have heard from some members in their eighties who have had successful ablations. Generally, here in the UK, cardiologist’s do not recommend an ablation if the risks outweigh the benefits but this may not always be the case if treatment is privately funded.....good luck

[queseyo in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, FlapJack, Mine is Atrial Fibrillation which has developed from paroxysmal to persistent/permanent. (I went to have a Cardioversion four days ago and still have on and off symptoms). My enormous problem is that, as I have Carotid calcification, I can hear all the chaotic heart pulsations in my left ear and it makes very hard to have a restful sleep. The consequences of that is complex and is deteriorating my life totally. I understand this is the big problem with my AF and it will never be solved therefore I don’t think 🤔 ablation would remedy my mine health issue. Thanks again for reading about my grumbles.

[Rubymurray25]

Like most of us , my AF journey of 7 years has been fairly uncertain not knowing what will happen next, but the one thing I have really learnt from the different Cardiologists I have had is if you find one you trust then go with what they suggest. I originally didn't want an ablation as if wasn't offered to me in the right way, but when a new and my current Cardiologist offered one to me and explained all the reasons behind his thinking I had no reservations at all. I am younger than you but I would like to think if in 18 years time I was told I needed a further ablation I would go with the flow and trust. Wishing you well.

[queseyo in reply to Rubymurray25]

Thanks Rubymurray, may aske how long since you had the ablation...encouraging you suggestion. I trust my present Cardiologist (the third one since 2011). Probable it is the last resort to make my life a bit better.

[Rubymurray25 in reply to queseyo]

Hello Queseyo, My first ablation was for AF and that was about 20 months ago but I then needed a further one for Flutter after a further six months and during that time I was tried on various medication to get the balance right. These guys are truly at the top of their profession and for me there was no real alternative as the medication never really seemed to work for that long. I do remember during my last A&E admission the doctor said after trying three different drugs that I had one of the most stubborn hearts he had come across, and I don't think that was a complement! Hopefully for you after one ablation you will be fine and can enjoy a relaxed and worry free life. Take care, Max

( Moral of the story is we are all so different but need to keep the faith )

[cuore]

No, Queseyo, you are not too old even at 82. I did a quick research for you. I am 77 pushing 78 with three ablations under my belt. If I had to have another ablation in my 80's, I would not hesitate.

I did a very quick research to back up my personal conclusion with some literature- three sites for you.

The first, very layman written with a brief summary of different studies but updated Dec. 9, 2019 by the very knowledgeable Steve. S. Ryan:

a-fib.com/faqs-a-fib-ablati...

The second, a recent March 2019 paper analysis different strategies for the old:

escardio.org/Journals/E-Jou...

The third article is a 2016 scholarly one dealing with outcomes of paroxysmal AF so you might just want to skip to the conclusion:

academic.oup.com/europace/a...

It is most common with symptomatic patients after ablation that even if AF returns, one is less symptomatic. You say you are persistent, depending how long you have been persistent, it is very likely your AF will return, but you should be less symptomatic. I say the above with a disclaimer, since I am not an MD.

[queseyo in reply to cuore]

That's encouraging, cuore, many tanks for doing that research and sending the links for me. I will read them all later. Always positive hearing from others about health issuers as much as possible since doctors today dont have much time to communicate.