Cardiac ablation with sedation

[Lesleyray]

Hi, having a cardio version next tues and have been told will be having sedation, this has spooked me as I assume I will be awake, could anyone who has had sedation let me know how it went, thanks, sorry, should be cardiac ablation

[BobD Volunteer]

Good news. You really would not want to be awake when they zap you.

Simple procedure. First they put a canula in your arm and you lay on the bed. They stick two pads either one front and one back or two on your chest and connect to the machine.

Then they put fairy juice into the canula and whilst you are away with the fairies they shock your heart and with luck it goes back into NSR (normal sinus rhythm) . The whole thing should take less than five minutes before they wake you up again. You may have mild "sunburn" where the pads were which cream will sort in a day or so .

I do know of somebody who was awake when they zapped him but it wasn't fun. Ever been tazered?

[Hidden]

A bit confused by the title to your post. As far as I know it’s not unusual to have an ablation under sedation but not a cardioversion. Will be interesting to hear what happens next week……best wishes for a successful outcome.

[Lesleyray in reply to Hidden]

Hi, sorry, it’s cardiac ablation

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Lesleyray]

If it is an ablation for AF or similar arrhythmia you will be awake but woosy . You will be offered pain relief so make sure that you tell them if it hurts.

Personally all my ablations were under GA which is much much nicer as you aren't there and when you wake up its all over.

[Lesleyray in reply to BobD]

Hi, wasn't offered a choice, it’s for AF, nurse just said sedation

[4874 in reply to BobD]

I certainly was not awake for my ablation I was placed on trolley surface which was cold to lower my body temperature given I/v sedation.For my Cardioversion I was was also given I/V sedation which was short acting glad I was sedated for both.If you have emergency Cardio Version due to Cardiac arrest obviously no sedation given or required as medical emergency.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If it’s a Cryoablation, these are often done under sedation. I’ve had one and it wasn’t so bad but if you feel any discomfort, don’t hesitate to let them know and they will increase the sedation. I’ve added a link below to 2 factsheets which you should find helpful…..

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[Jajarunner in reply to Hidden]

I've had five cardioversions under sedation. The confusion arises I think with the level of sedation- sometimes for procedures you are lucid and dozy but other times procedures totally out of it. They explained to me that a sedation and a general anaesthetic are in a continuum, but it's only technically a GA if you need help breathing. 😅

[Jalia]

I've had 2 ablations with sedation and one with GA. Yes you will be awake but sedated so you should be comfortable, drifting in and out of consciousness. At least that is how I remember it from 10 years ago ! I was supposed to be having my 4th ablation...under sedation ....tomorrow but it has just been cancelled due to staff shortage ..........

😬

[Hidden in reply to Jalia]

Watta bummer!!

[Jalia in reply to Hidden]

Yes Flapjack, it was rather. I should have been prepared for that really in these Covid times! I cancelled a holiday and lost deposit (UK) to fit the date in as well. Plus an hours drive to get PCR test the day before !

[bmand]

I have at least 3 Cardio versions and the one thing you don't want to do is be awake. Once they get you set up, the whole thing will take about 10 minutes.

[Physalis]

I had sedation and after they'd got me settled on the bed, pads put in place, I simply went to sleep and woke up towards the end of it.

[KMRobbo]

I had a PVI CRYOABLATION for AFIB left atria, and an RF ablation in my Right atria for reentrant A flutter, both with mild sedation.

The sedation will be increased as required, you can ask if you did feel uncomfortable. I never needed it.

I also had a local in the groin for the catheter entry and did not feel a thing there.

No problems with either of the ablations .

I went home the same day on both ablations.

Don't worry and best wishes.

[Jajarunner]

I found out I was having sedation about 10 mins before my first ablation! Like you I was beyond terrified but it was fine, but of pain with first injection before numbness took over, bit of wriggling of the tubes and then off they went. It wasn't painful at all and I had a nurse near me throughout. I didn't feel sleepy though but the 90 mins flew past so maybe I was sleepier than I thought. And no post anaesthetic daze to get over. Good luck 🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Jajarunner]

I totally misread this, sorry, I thought you were having ablation. Doh!For all my cardioversions I don't remember a thing. Ketamine gave me nightmares though!!

[Mouchkin]

I had sedation for my ablation. They give you a lot of pain relief and a drug to sedate. It was fine for me and there are lots of people watching you and keeping you pain free and calm. You are almost asleep for all of it as they keep topping up the drugs. It is amazing really and no GA means you don’t feel sick afterwards and you recover quickly and go home. Good luck

[Lesleyray]

I would like to thank you all for your lovely replies, you have certainly put my mind at rest, I think it’s more the unknown that’s scary, thank you all for your best wishes and will let you know how it goes 😀😀

[cicek in reply to Lesleyray]

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[ranobeer in reply to Lesleyray]

Bit late to reply but I have had both and both are OK. With my first ablation I was sedated and thought I was at a disco and wanted to dance with hundreds of people but couldn't get round them all. I imagine I was extremely annoying for the EP but I had lovely memories! They will look after you🙂

[MarkS]

My ablation was under sedation. I think that's much better than GA as there are fewer side-effects and your recovery is quicker.

[Jetcat]

I don’t know about the cardioversion under sedation. But I had my first ablation done under sedation and I made sure I never ever had sedation again for my next 2 ablations.!!!

[Superms]

I have had three cardioversions all under sedation. Everything was fine.

[Superms in reply to Superms]

I have also had two ablations both under sedation and all was good.

[Blavet]

Hi LesleyrayI’ve had 4 procedures over the years including radio frequency ablation and cyroablation all under sedation with no problems. You’re very relaxed and tend to drift in and out of sleep. Sometimes they’ll give you so much sedation that you’ll sleep through it and won’t know a thing. They usually put the catheter in the femoral vein in the groin but they will give you a local anaesthetic so don’t worry you’ll be totally relaxed. Good luck with everything.

[Lesleyray in reply to Blavet]

Thank you, has been really reassuring with all the good feedback I’ve had that it has taken quite a bit of the worry from me, will update later next week with how it goes

[Ducky2003 in reply to Lesleyray]

Mine 10 weeks ago was under sedation. I am quite resistant to sedation so did ask them at one point when they were going to sedate me......... they already had 😁. Having never had a general anaesthetic for anything, I can't which I prefer but the team will do their best to keep you comfortable. Best of luck.

[Desanthony]

Don't worry you will be fine. I have had numerous operations and procedures including a total knee replacement and hip replacement with local anaesthetic and sedation - didn't feel a thing and time just whizzed by so probably was asleep some of the time. I have a bad reaction to anaesthetics and have ended up in hospital for days due to anaestehtic rather than procedure or operation when a GA used. Its so good not having a GA hangover (or worse) and being able to eat sometimes straight after surgery and not vomit! Especially for one operation I had that was done at 8am and then had breakfast with my wife.

[Tantaanna]

I have had many cardio versions and five ablations all with sedation. First time was the scariest! I use Frankincense oil, deep breathing and healing affirmations to calm me. Take it one step at a time. It will be ok !

[Lesleyray in reply to Tantaanna]

Thank you, I feel much calmer now with all the lovely replies I’ve had, this forum is wonderful as you know folk have or are going through the same thing, gives me so much confidence