I am due to have an ablation in September for PAF and flutter.(I’m not sure whether it will be RFA or cryo as I am having trouble getting info from what is obviously an extremely busy service.) I am concerned about potential risks and have read about how some hospitals prescribe Proton Pump Inhibitors (lansoprazole/omeprazole) pre or post-ablation to lessen the risk of damage to the oesophagus. I would be interested to knoevhow many of you who have had an ablation have been prescribed them and if so what dose and for how long.
Many thanks.
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Hi, if your ablation includes flutter it will be RF I think as the ballooons used in Cryo only treat the areas round the pulmonary veins. I was prescribed Lansaprazole to take for six weeks after my ablation but it didn’t suit me so went back to my usual treatment for reflux, ranitidine (now discontinued).
Many thanks for this. Can I just clarify that you were already on regular treatment for reflux prior to the procedure? My reading would suggest people with existing gastric problems are more vulnerable during ablation and therefore may need more protection.Thanks again.
Yes I was but some hospitals prescribe as standard. If yours doesn’t and you have oesophageal discomfort more than a few days after your ablation I’d ask your GP to prescribe although I’m not a fan for long term use.
Hi I had an RF ablation 6 weeks ago ( so far so good - best I felt in 3 years) and was prescribed 20mg Onneprazole daily. I was told it was because as part of he procedure they carry out a transososphageal echo cardio gram to check for heart blood clots prior to procedure which can irritate the gut. No problems or major side effects. Good luck with your procedure hope it goes as well as mine. I am back swimming twice a week and walk / garden everyday now.
Sorry I didn’t fully answer tour question - I took Omneprazole for 4 weeks along with Dilitiazen post procedure. Stopped both now just taking my usual B P drugs and a statin now.
I was prescribed them to when I started Dabigatran and other meds and never used them. I did have a lot problems following ablation with acid reflux but managed it holistically and with Gaviscon. I feel PIPs are over prescribed and the long term risks far outweigh the benefits for short term acid reflux. Once on PIPs it can be very hard to withdraw without rebound affect but I suggest you do your own research and discuss with your GP who is far more likely to know your overall health and take in consideration other issue than secondary care.
I was told that to treat atrial fibrillation, the ablation is carried out close to the entrance into the heart of the four pulmonary veins, in the right aorta. Apparently, there is a possible combination of anatomical issues in some patients that needs to be accounted because, in those people, the atrial wall is unusually thin and it also presses against their oesophagus, lying outside the heart against the pericardium. For those people, heat transfer from the catheter through to the oesophagus becomes possible, and the use of PPI drugs, given prophylactically, helps reduce any irritation this creates.
I was, too. In the end, we have to trust that the doctors have our best interests at heart - and the skills to do their job well. I know that I couldn't have continued in the state I was in. These "issues" that are on the Internet are rare, and much more so these days. You can be as certain as needs be that you are in good hands and that all will be well.
I should add, I did have a cough for a while and a slight heartburn like feeling, so I'm assuming that my oesophagus had been irritated but the omeprazole obviously sorted that out.😊
Hi.I am on 20mg of Omeprazole permanently but after my ablation a couple of months ago, to provide additional protection for my Oesophagus, the dose was doubled to 40mg for 1 month only after which I was to return to 20mg.
I had Omeprezole 20mg twice a day for six weeks. I was told it was because the ablation procedure is done very close to the oesophagus and can cause damage because of the heat generated. The PPI is a precaution to help prevent ulceration. Various studies have been published which you can find quite easily. I had no issues with it. Very good luck.
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