Ablation-

[kalgs]

Cryo Ablation booked at Barts ,

Questions

1. How long does procedure take on the table ?

2. How do they know where to ablate ?

I’m apprehensive about the procedure and wonder if it’s worth the risk . I have PAF

[BobD Volunteer]

It takes as long as it takes Kalgs. If it is straightforward maybe an hour but could be longer. Cryo uses a small balloon which is inserted into the mouth of each pulmonary vien before being inflated with freezing gas to create the scar tissue to block the signals. So long as they can find the viens and the balloon fits they can do the job. No searching for where or when. That is only with RF ablation when mapping is required.

There is a good fact sheet on all aspects of ablation on the main AFA website.

It is normal to be a little anxious but as most find out, quite unecessary. Read the preparing for and recovering from fact sheets and relax.

[kalgs in reply to BobD]

Thanks very much

[rosyG]

Bod has answered everything- regarding whether it's worth the risk- it depends on the quality of life yo have with AF. Ablation is used when quality is poor and most people seem to say they know when that point is reached so hope you are ok with decision

[kalgs in reply to rosyG]

Thanks

[Hidden]

I was told that the length of the procedure depends on how much ablating they have to do- this is determined once they have induced AF during the procedure and shows up on a screen in the form of wavy horizontal lines.

If you don’t mind my asking, how often do you get PAF and how bad is it? I ask because I too have PAF and a more registered at Barts. I was told in May that as I was relatively aysymptomatic , they didn’t think an ablation was required at the moment. Yet, earlier, two consultants there told me that it was. When I received letter from the consultant (it was a telephone consultation) it suggested that I had declined an ablation whereas in fact I had approached them to ask if it was needed and didn’t ask for or decline the procedure.

[kalgs in reply to Hidden]

I am symptomatic . Also it depends on other conditions you might have .

[Dlo2 in reply to Hidden]

I also had cryo and had not known that in the process of isolating an inferior pulmonary vein, my main stem bronchi had slight thermal damage, resulting in coughing and chest discomfort. This is just another complication issue that can probably be averted with experience, skill and latest generation ablation catheters. What is important is finding the best and brightest EP - hopefully with a higher emotional IQ for best communication.

[ladybird16]

Hello Kalgs,

If you don't mind me asking how long have you been on the waiting list for the Ablation at Barts?

I'm currently on the waiting list, so just trying to gauge the time frame.

Hope the procedure all goes smoothly.

[kalgs in reply to ladybird16]

It’s different for all of us . I’ve been waiting months

[ladybird16 in reply to kalgs]

Thank for letting me know. Yep I've been waiting months too, so I'll just keep waiting for my turn... lol 😆

[Maisiemay13]

Hi I had a cryo ablation in March all I can say is if I needed another ablation I would have it,read the fact sheets before,after and during recovery

[kalgs in reply to Maisiemay13]

Has it worked?

[Maisiemay13 in reply to kalgs]

All is good at the moment, do get ectopics was told it could take up to a year

[Ducky2003]

Mine in April took 2.5 hours. Hope all goes well for you.

[kalgs in reply to Ducky2003]

Thanks. Has it worked you ?

[Ducky2003 in reply to kalgs]

The jury is still out. I've been told 3-4 months, maybe as much as 6 before they know for definite. I have had AF return and did end up in hospital last weekend but I don't think I'm in AF all the time. They've booked me in for a cardioversion next month if I am at that point.

[kalgs in reply to Ducky2003]

Thanks

[KathFrances]

I had my cryoablation just over a week ago and it went very well - so far I'm really glad I had it. It was done under general anaesthetic, I was in theatre for 2-3 hours and stayed in overnight. The EP said it was all fine but took longer because my pulmonary veins are very big so he had to move the balloon around a bit to isolate them, but he managed it ok.

[kalgs in reply to KathFrances]

Great news

[Magson]

Hi Kalgs,I can only speak from my personal experience. Ablation late 2018 at Bristol Heart Institute. Great EP . Lasted about 1.5 hrs. Up and running after about a month. Never looked back. But it's all about better quality of life. There is no cure as such. But you can enjoy life a little better!

[kalgs in reply to Magson]

Thanks

[kalgs in reply to Magson]

Did you have a GA?

[Magson]

I was sedated. The only slight pain was the incision in the groin but nothing serious. My EP told me that I would feel the sensation of hiccups at some time in the procedure and it would happen when he was almost finished. He was 100% correct. I knew. He must have been touching the phrenic nerve.I am sure the EP will decide on sedation or GA.

It's scary if you haven't been through it but looking back I think it wasn't a big deal and the best thing that has happened for my quality of life- so far so good.

My AF was getting more frequent and for longer episodes. My choice was an easy one.

[kalgs in reply to Magson]

Same here AF becoming more frequent

[Hidden in reply to Magson]

Was the sedative effective? Were you aware of the procedure?

[Magson in reply to Hidden]

Sedative was very effective. I had very little awareness of what was going on but near the end I had the sensation of slight "hiccuping" as described. Only discomfort was small incision in groin but you only notice this after the procedure. Hope this answers your question.

[kalgs in reply to Magson]

Thanks . How did recovery go ?

[Magson in reply to kalgs]

For me it was straightforward. Short walks for first two weeks. Back at light gym after that and back to normal after about 6 weeks. Kept monitoring my HR and used my Kardia plenty of times. After consultation after 3 months dropped some meds but kept Rivoraxaban. This just as insurance but I wonder if I need it being one that notices any slight missed beat or ectopic. Everybody is different - bear that in mind.

[kalgs in reply to Magson]

Thanks and good news for you

[TracyAdmin Partner]

For further information about the Pace & Ablate procedure, you may wish to join the A F Association online video library, hosted by Health Care Professionals offering helpful advice on AF and treatment options - 'Patient Educational Platform' heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact me [e-mail]

[Be-still-my-heart]

I had my ablation at Bart’s on 22/9 mine took around 4 hours.

I was going to have AFib and flutter fixed but I went into AFib under anaesthesia and once they fixed it the flutter stopped.

I was anxious beforehand but once I got to Bart’s I felt confident. The team are so highly skilled I felt in safe hands.