So the time for my ablation seems to be a bit nearer. When I asked if I would have a general anaesthetic they said a categorical no it would be sedation. This is Leeds. I would far rather have a general. I just wondered what other people’s experiences are
Jane
I understand your fears! I've had 3 ablations, the first in 2009 with sedation, the second 2011 with sedation and my last in 2013 with GA. There are advantages to both in my opinion. Certainly you recover much quicker with sedation and personally I was kept comfortable with extra pain relief when needed. !Although the first two were about 4 hrs I drifted in and out of consciousness so didn't seem that long. On the other hand I felt truly dreadful after my GA !!Now , 8 years later, I have ablation no 4 planned for 1st July. I've no idea what I will be offered so will go with the flow. Frankly I feel a bit like a novice after this gap! I'm more concerned that they are done as day cases now as there was no way I would have felt like going home the same day with my previous ablations
🙄Good luck to you! What date have you been given ?
I don’t know because I have seriously questioned the sedation a cardiology nurse is ringing me next week !
I expect she will be able to allay your fears. Flapjacks reply prob a bit more helpful ....I'm a bit out of date
😂😉
Just had my booking papers through and it looks like I'll be having sedation, no choice. Glad the decision is made for me as I had a choice last time ! Feel I'm in safe hands as EP who intends to perform this is the same one who did my first and subsequent ablations in London and now Brighton and seen regularly in intervening years. I shall still be nervous though when time arrives
😬😳
I think a lot depends on the type of ablation. Most Cryoablation’s are under sedation because they are relatively quick and recovery (not total recovery) from the procedure is generally quicker too. RF ablations tend to be done under GA to minimise patient movement which is more critical due to the more delicate nature of the procedure. I expect you will not have a lot of choice in that GA’s require more medical support and if that is not available they will probably postpone the ablation. Try not to worry about sedation, it is very effective and if you start to feel uncomfortable, just be sure to tell a member of the team and they will very quickly up the sedation
Reassuring thank you
Janey, I've had two ablations with sedation and a male nurse was sat watching me all the time. As soon as I started becoming more conscious he would raise his hand and the sedation was increased. I didn't know much about either of them.
Jean
Ok I expect I will have to go along with this
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
