Ablation procedure

[buntyknit]

Hi everyone, had an ablation procedure 30th Nov. Previously used to have AF every 6 weeks but did not take meds. Within 8 to 24 hours it would go away by itself. However thought it would be best to have the procedure as was told if you have AF mildly then you have a good chance of the procedure being successful. All has been well and for 2 months haven’t been in AF then on Sunday got AF but thought it would be short lived but it’s Wednesday evening and haven’t been out of AF this has never happened before and feel so upset that instead of being better after the procedure my condition is far worse. My post op consultation is due soon but rung the Athrymia nurse who said unfortunately the procedure hasn’t worked. Will have to go back on heart meds after not being on them for over 18 months. It’s so disappointing has anyone else had a similar experience??

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Hello Bunty, it’s a bit surprising that the Arrhythmia Nurse is suggesting your a ablation has failed within what is known as the 3 month blanking period. Obviously it is disappointing for you but we would normally suggest that it is far too early to say it has failed. What type of ablation did you have. If it was a Cryoablation, this is when the four pulmonary veins are frozen with an expanding balloon, sometimes one or more of the veins could be irregular in shape and the balloon fails treat all of the tissue. This is resolved with a second RF ablation to literally to touch up the missed tissue. Hopefully you will get more positive news from your consultation but I would have thought there is still a chance that NSR will return. It might be worth asking your Arrhythmia Nurse about trying a Pill in the Pocket such as Flecainide or a Cardioversion........

I’ve just noticed you are new to the forum so you will not have seen the following factsheet about recovering from an ablation.....

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, this happened to me once after an ablation and I had a cardioversion to put me back into normal rhythm. It may be worth asking your AF nurse about having one.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Sad that you were not fully briefed about the procedure so that you would understand that ablation is just part of ongoing treatment and may well need repeating.

Flapjack has signposted you to our fact sheet on recovery which sadly is not always available in hospitals on discharge. Some very lucky people may be AF free after one ablation but you may well find that things do settle down again eventually even if you need a cardioversion to re-set things. As we explain though many people are still improving at six or even nine months so don't be too eager to give up on it.

[HiloHairy]

I'm quite surprised that the nurse would make such a quick determination over the phone. May ask where in the world you are? I understand that patients are treated differently in different countries.

[buntyknit in reply to HiloHairy]

Brighton Uk

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I've had 4 ablations ... 3 of them from the world's best EP's.

A patient who was undergoing ablation while I was (this past AUG) told me he just had one earlier in the year that failed. The EP told him his heart was just being stubborn ... and he would go back in and bring his AFIB into submission.

During my research 10 years ago, I discovered it was well-known in the EP community that it often times takes two ablations to get the high-percentile success rate.

That certainly was the case for me. I had an ablation in FEB 2011 .... that failed in late SEP ... so they did a second in NOV 2011. Sure I was demoralized, but looking back ... it was just a minor blip on the radar screen.

That 2nd one gave me 10 years AFIB free and normal.

And ... who knows ... you might be one of the lucky ones who comes out of your current AFIB in the blanking period ... and never goes back in again. I hope this is the case . . . but if it isn't, don't be disheartened. The 2nd procedure will probably give you the result you're looking for.

[CDreamer]

Hi and welcome.

I am sure you are disappointed but still a long way to go. My first ablation made things a lot worse, I had a second about 3 months later which was more successful.

As the others have said, many people need to go back for cardioversion - the sooner the better - or a repeat ablation.

You said you didn’t take meds to prevent the AF? It is very common to have meds after ablation to ensure you stay in NSR for the blanking period or even for 6-12 months following. Was that suggested? Have meds ever worked for you or have you just never tried them?

AF can be a long journey so keep on and pester your EP to see what the next step would be. Ablation, although successful for many, is not the only treatment.

Best wishes CD.

[BigDunc]

Hi BuntyknitI had my Ablation the day after you and have been in and out off AF since that time. Last episode on Sunday that ended on Monday. Like yourself you feel disappointed due to the ordeal you’ve been through.

The blanking period is 2 or 3 months depending on who you listen too.

I am going for the latter and from the replies let’s both stay optimistic.

This is my 2nd Ablation first one in 2007 that along with Flecainide kept AF free for 13 years. Good luck

[Sfhmgusa]

Hi Buntyknit

My first ablation july 2020 made things worse, longer episodes, faster heart rate and so I had a second procedure in November which touch wood has had me in NSR for nearly 3months now , it is not rare for ablation 1 to need ablation 2 afterwards but equally it is very common for the fist ablation to be successful after a few stutters in the three - four months following the procedure.

Steve

[buntyknit in reply to Sfhmgusa]

Thank you so much your post had encouraged me. I am still in AF which has lasted over 5 days but hoping and praying that somehow I can still be put back into normal rhythm. If that is not the case will have another procedure. I hope your second procedure proves successful and you can now live a life without the worries of recurring episodes