Has ablation “failed”?

I had a cryo ablation in November, my history was 2 episodes of very marked AF four years earlier then in August/September 4 more, weekly. All my episodes were in the night, and on each occasion I had an alcoholic drink in the previous 24 hours.

I have not had any more AF since November - until 6.30pm today. 🥲Kardia confirmed.

I had 1/4 pint of beer yesterday and 1/4 glass alcohol the day before, (at a camp where everyone else was enjoying a drink).

My heart rate is not as fast as previously. 139. So far I have not taken any Bisoprolol. Or Flecainide.

Has my ablation “failed”??

[Hidden]

Not necessarily but clearly alcohol is best avoided. Cryoablation is a quick and effective way of ablating the 4 pulmonary veins but if the heart tissue is not uniform or smooth, the expanding balloon used to scar the tissue could miss bits which means it’s not unusual to need a 2nd RF ablation to touch up any missed areas. I know because it’s what happened to me. It’s probably too early to say, but if it becomes a frequent occurrence then a second ablation might be suggested. Are you still in AF or has sinus rhythm returned. I suggest you contact your EP/Arrhythmia Nurse on Monday to make them aware and if you are still in AF, ask about a cardioversion or using Flecainide as a Pill in the Pocket…..

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It stopped after an hour, which is an improvement on previous 8 hour episodes, I didn't use the flecanide the EP recommended or the bisoprolol (which he was less keen on). By that time I had sent the Kardia reading to the arrhythmia nurse. G-d, I could use a gin. or a single malt... But I won't

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Sorry but alcohol really is best avoided if you have AF. Quite an irony when you have shares in a vinyard as I do . It really isn't worth undoing all the hard work.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

It was less than a 1/4 bottle of ale… so sad. But nada from now on…

[rosyG]

hi FaberMAs Flapjack says, you may need a touch up if it's healed and letting signals through but as you had such a definite trigger of alcohol.............enough said i think!Do be careful now as it's not wise to get your heart used to starting off again

[Singwell]

There are degrees of success as I understand it. Bad luck with the alcohol btw and I totally understand! I'm really hoping I'll be able to have the occasional half glass of cider again but not chancing it at present! Back to degree of success - your rate wasn't as high, it didn't last as long and it stopped by itself. So the burden is less. That's a measure of some success. I'd be looking out for decent non alcoholic beers - think there's one called Brew Dog?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Singwell]

Just to warn you Sing "alcohol free" is to an extent missleading. Since all these drinks are made just like normal beers or wines (even gin these days) and then have the alcohol removed with an osmotic process they still contain all the enzymes , sulphides and other nasties which can affect us. One of the worst hangovers I ever had was on Kaliber alcohol free beer!

Back in the 70s when I was always designated driver I drank ginger ale and told people it was whisky and ginger and got very good at pretending to be a little drunk to avoid peer pressure. At my age now I just say I don't drink.

[Singwell in reply to BobD]

Oh - good to know. I did try one from our local deli that I enjoyed but it was loaded with corn syrup and I decided that if rather have a good local organic cider occasionally if could.tolerate it. That was pre ablation. Not messing with stability whilst healing and weaning off meds. Maybe in a few months time. Meanwhile I'll stick to Kombucha.

[momist in reply to Singwell]

Contrary to BobD on this subject, I remember the hazards of that terrible Kaliber stuff well, but I like many of the more up to date alcohol free beers these days. You should be OK with any coming from Germany, as they still have to meet their 'natural' standards. I'm not keen on the Brew Dog variety, but that's just a matter of personal taste, I think.

[Singwell in reply to momist]

Happy for you to recommend if you like? I'm the kinda gal that likes a Belgian style wheat brew. I think it's called a Blonde.

[momist in reply to Singwell]

Singwell . Tesco's recently had on offer both Hoegaarden and Leffe Blond in 0% alcohol form. Obviously not as good as the originals, but nevertheless very acceptable. I don't know if they still have any though, sorry. My recent favourite tipple along those lines has been an American lager called Brooklyn Special Effects (0.4%). Very nice, but not in the Belgian style, it's a hoppy lager. Along similar lines is the German Franziskaner (sp?). I haven't currently any in, so excuse the doubts about the spelling. It's fun trying them out though, so go looking in the various supermarkets. Most of mine come from my local chain Booths, limited to NW England.

[Singwell in reply to momist]

Thank you - much appreciated!

[Ducky2003 in reply to Singwell]

Hi Singwell. I can recommend Aldi's own Reinbacher Pilsner (no sulphites listed on ingredients), a very close second to my favourite Becks Blue. 😊

[Singwell in reply to Ducky2003]

Thanks. Are things going more smoothly for you now? 🤞

[Ducky2003 in reply to Singwell]

No, sadly. Getting a bit frustrated with things to be honest. ☹. Hope your med reduction is going better now.

[Singwell in reply to Ducky2003]

Oh I'm so sorry. When do you see your EP again? It's not uncommon to have to have it twice is it? That said, I totally relate to disappointment and frustration.

[Pugapoo in reply to BobD]

I think there’s a difference between ‘de-alcoholised’ and ‘non-alcoholic’. Certainly in wine. The first is made like normal and alcohol removed (as you describe), the second not made with alcohol. I’ve found the taste of dealcoholised much better, so would be sad to discover I had to steer clear of that too 🙁

[Desanthony in reply to BobD]

I believe that is the same as decaffeinated tea and coffee there is still some caffeine in them.

[Sfhmgusa]

A slight different tack from me , if you have a trigger for af ( in this case alcohol) then I would say the ablation has not been totally successful. I would not say it has failed either.

With af as I see it all treatments are about quality of life so yours seems to have made improvements but I believe a totally successful ablation stops you getting the symptoms of af and so I think that you may want an RF touch up sometime.

For me alcohol was not and is not a trigger before or after my ablations so I can and do have wine with meals but have become much more moderate than previously with my consumption.

If I were you I would look fir a second ablation and probably stop alcohol until you have had a second procedure at least.

Steve

[beach_bum]

Perhaps the alcohol, but don't overlook any other factors that could be involved. Were you overly tired? Did you have a large heavy meal? Are you on a daily dose of HR/Bp meds? If so when do you take them? Morning or before bed? Other heart and health issues? High BP? Diabetes?

So many variables that could trigger it besides alcohol. Yes alcohol is a documented trigger, but since researching, there are many whomcan and do enjoy a beer or 2 or a nice steak and potato supper at 8:00 pm with effect etc etc,

You really need to talk to the professionals 🙂

Stay safe!

[Hidden]

I was recovering from being extremely tired, I stretched myself by going to a shepherds hut for two nights involved a lot of walking but I have femoral nerve damage from an operation that went wrong and other issues so walking is a challenge. Will see how life goes! I don’t take any heart meds only an anticoagulant and paracetamol most nights to calm the other pains. Grrr. Not how I thought old age would be.

[Buffafly]

If the extra walking caused inflammation and over tiredness I would blame that 💜

[Doddsey-UK]

I’ve had a Cryo Ablation and then about a year later started experiencing repeat episodes of AF and was told I needed another but didn’t follow it up as I hated the first experience so much, didn’t feel I could go through that again. At the time though, I was told it could take two or three ablutions. Now I’m experiencing severe chest pains that come and go and wonder whether I should go back. So yes it is possible you may need another. I just don’t understand why some people have pace makers and others only get offered a man ablation I now don’t understand which is the safest or most reliable. Sorry, guessing that may not help 😣

[Ducky2003 in reply to Doddsey-UK]

My understanding is that pacemakers are offered to folk who have major rate control issues, be it brady or tachy so the AF is still present but the rate is controlled.

[Doddsey-UK in reply to Ducky2003]

Thank you for explaining that, I’ve often wondered why. I hope you stay well 🙂

[Ducky2003 in reply to Doddsey-UK]

Thank you. It's tough going , post ablation, at the moment but I'm hoping it all settles down 🤞.