Ablation 12 May 2021.

[SirBeatalot]

Hi Folks.

I would just like to thank everyone for all the encouraging messages prior to my ablation.

So I was lying on the theatre bed all wired up and ready to go when a voice told me that they were about to start the procedure and administer sedation to help me relax, (however the sedation line had not been attached to my canula and the sedation was leaking into my bed)

Apologies were forthcoming and they said I could have a bit more sedation now to make up for the shortfall. 😁

At the end of the procedure the doctor assisting told me they had done a lot of burning (115 spot burns) and that I had done well to keep still.I did feel the burns but the discomfort was manageable under sedation.

Back in the Ward I had to lie down for couple of hours to allow the groin to settle but unfortunately mine decided to keep bleeding and I eventually needed a clamp attaching to stop it.

(This is unusual and not something most people need worry about)

Back home the next day I was shattered from the experience and lack of sleep but each day I have felt a bit better and hopefully this will continue.

The chest pain/ discomfort lasts for a couple of days and although the groin takes a little longer it's really not too bad.

I do hope this ablation is successful (so far so good) but if I have to have a second (which is a lot easier apparently) I would certainly do it as a means to an end.

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm pleased to hear that all went well. Make sure that you have lots of rest now and allow your heart to heal. You may find that you'll get days when you feel extremely well and others when you feel totally drained, that's all perfectly normal. No exerting yourself for a few weeks or so. Take care.

Jean

[meadfoot]

Well done. Onwards and upwards now albeit it slowly please.

[BobD Volunteer]

I too had a femstop clamp after I turned my bed red the first time round. Not the most comfortable device!

Don't forget to read the recovery instructions heartrhythmalliance.org/res... and above all REST and when you have done that REST SOME MORE!

[rrrexc]

HI I had ablation last friday and since then I have had all day runs of SVT, a dozen or more times. Have you had any

[SirBeatalot in reply to rrrexc]

Hi rrrexc.I have woken up during the night a few times with my heart racing a bit but not particularly during the day.

Our hearts are trying to recover from a bashing and maybe they will play up for a while.

I was given the number of an Arythmia nurse, hopefully you will have too, so perhaps talk to someone at the hospital if you are concerned.

[Griffin9 in reply to SirBeatalot]

Do you have to sleep on your back for a few days after the procedure? I find that uncomfortable for long periods.

[SirBeatalot in reply to Griffin9]

I had a quadruple bypass in 20017 and since then I find sleeping on my back more comfortable anyway, although I do shift to my side occasionally to alleviate back pain.So the answer is yes, but not due to the Ablation, not sure this will help.

[Paulbounce]

Sir wrote

"but each day I have felt a bit better and hopefully this will continue"

I'm sure it will - give yourself time though and don't 'rush things'. Take it easy for a while.

"it's really not too bad"

Way to go. How positive and a great mind set. Well done you.

"I do hope this ablation is successful (so far so good)"

Looking good. I wish you all success with it. Relax / feet up and chill for a week or so (or longer it doesn't matter). Take things easy for now - easy to say I know but worth doing

Just think - worse part over and done with. It sounds like you have a lot of courage. That's half the battle won.

Paul

[SirBeatalot in reply to Paulbounce]

Hi Paul.Thanks for the kind words.

[mrgwair567 in reply to SirBeatalot]

Hi Sir Beatalot, Take care and be kind to yourself!

[bassets]

Glad you are feeling a bit better everyday. Keep well and enjoy the holiday X

[Mouchkin]

It took me about six months to feel back to normal ,but I am 80! I also had phrenic nerve damage . It was such a good thing to do for me . I felt so ill before I had it done and although I have other health issues I feel so well. It is two years since I had it done and I have never looked back. REST and then more!

[manabouttown]

Good luck- hope it works out well

[Ducky2003]

Had mine 4 weeks ago but mine was a cryo. Interesting that you had an RF as your first one. My wound took 30 hours to finally stop oozing (no clamp required, thankfully) but I did have to have a vascular ultrasound after a week due to most of my leg bruising. When you think you have rested enough, then rest some more. Dont be lulled into a false sense of security as I have felt a bit rougher this week. I did go back to work yesterday (only saw 4 patients thankfully) and was shattered and pulse was into the hundreds for 4 hours in total (according to my Fitbit Versa 2) but I had felt a bit rougher before going back to work.

Hope all goes well for your recovery.

[SirBeatalot in reply to Ducky2003]

Hi DuckyCryo or RF was never discussed with me actually,I guess it was down to the Consultant's expertise and preference to choose RF.

[Ducky2003 in reply to SirBeatalot]

Interesting. I was told it was cryo as a starter as it was quicker and hopefully, if would be sufficient. I think if I'm unlucky enough to have to go through it again, it would be RF to touch up. Remember to rest.😊.

[SirBeatalot in reply to Ducky2003]

Not sure really but I will ask about it when I get a chance. I guess the main thing is whether or not they work.

Thank you I will rest and I hope things with you keep going well.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I, too, had a recent ablation ... and awaiting notice to return for a shorter possible ablation and Watchman Device installation.

Top EP's have left the old groin wound access behind with all it's possible complications, applying pressure to close it, bruising, oozing, and need to lie still for 8+ hours.

My recent ablation the EP used collagen plugs in the veins. No bruising ..... no lying still for hours after the procedure ....... healed within 3 days it seems .... size of a small freckle. No groin pain whatsoever. Great technology!

Hoping you have a great recovery . . . .

[SirBeatalot in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Thanks I am due back for a review with the EP in three months so I will mention the new technology.

[SirBeatalot in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Just wondering why you are expecting to go back so quick to have another ablation and what is a "Watchman Device"?

[The_Lord_is_with_Us in reply to SirBeatalot]

During my ablation in OCT, my world-class EP Dr. Natale ablated the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA), an area notorious for causing AFIB and stroke clots. He is one of the few EP's in the world who specializes in ablating this area as it is tissue-paper thin. But he does it lightly on the first go around.

I will return for TEE imaging of the LAA. If it is still functioning properly after being ablated and he sees no further sign of erratic signals, I may be sent home with no further treatment. Lucky best outcome for 35 to 40% of patients.

However, if it is not functioning like it should, then they will install a Watchman Device in the LAA pouch (that is like a mini appendix) that will seal over and close off the area (preventing stroke clots from ever forming). The Watchman will allow me to toss the Eliquis blood thinner in the bin. No need to take it for life.

Additionally, Dr. Natale may do some light touch-up ablation in the LAA area to complete the job. Whole procedure should take no more than 45 minutes to an hour.

They told me prior to the first OCT ablation that to get the maximum cure potential, I would have one major procedure ... and a minor follow up procedure. So, I knew I would have 2 procedures going in.

[SirBeatalot in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Thank you taking the time to explain, you certainly seem to be getting brilliant and cutting edge care from your EP.

[Magicmog12]

Had mine in december of last year all went well I was awake but couldn't feel anything apart from when they were "tuning up?" my heartbeat seemed really loud and felt it was going to burst through my chest it seemed like this went on for a while but I don't think it did really- it was a relief when someone said "will someone prepare the next patient pls?!" Thank god for that! I was worried about doing anything that might put a strain in my groin area the next week but you just take your time it will be OK. It appears everthing is working as planned and now just over a year since the surgery im back in the garden and on my walks again. I was lucky to get this sorted just before lockdown and the hospital were taking procedures like this in December. Again I say god bless all the staff in the nhs particularly the North staffs cardio unit,(Where I had the h eart surgery in April of last year) Wythenshawe and Macclesfield hospitals

[SirBeatalot in reply to Magicmog12]

Glad that it has worked out for you and fingers crossed so far as I can tell at two weeks in, mine also appears to have worked, but I do understand it is early days.