RF Ablation and Cardioversion 48 hours later

[ruby_jack]

Hi all, I joined this forum 2 years ago to primarily gain information (hubby aged 66 had just been diagnosed with AF) and initially want to thank you all for the knowledge and personal experiences you have provided for us "newbies". Hubby hates anything medical and tends to "turn a blind eye" to the detail so being able to keep up to date on his behalf has been enlightening, comforting and takes away a lot of the AF fear.

However now a question if I may - he is currently in Harefield Hospital as had a RF ablation on Saturday and was expecting to come home yesterday. He was not discharged as his blood pressure was too low and is still an inpatient today. This morning his consultant has decided to action a cardioversion later today and I just wanted to ask if this is normal / unusual and if anyone has had any experience of it so close to the ablation? Due to his lack of wanting detail, he has not questioned this - just been advised it should help the ablation "work".

Due to covid I am obviously not in a position to meet and discuss this with his consultant but my heart at the moment is probably beating faster than hubbies due to the unknown.

Thanks in advance - any information welcome.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Thank you for your post and I sending best wishes to your husband for a good recovery! How is he feeling today? I am sure all the Members will offer you very supportive advice. You may also wish to visit our online patient resources \ patient education video platform that will provide you with an overview of the procedures heartrhythmalliance.org/afa.... Take care, Tracy

[jeanjeannie50]

I cant think a cardioversion will do any harm. I've had them during an ablation.

[Buffafly]

I had two cardioversions during my ablation so woke up in NSR. Maybe your husband’s heart hasn’t settled properly into NSR hence the low BP and a jolt might steady it. Just guessing on experience because my heart was quite wobbly for a couple of days after ablation but I was home already.

[ruby_jack]

Thanks all for replying, it was just that I had not read anywhere (and with my limited knowledge) that a cardioversion could be needed straight after an ablation. Anyway it was performed this morning and now waiting for Consultant to review progress prior to deciding when he can be discharged.

[CDreamer]

The sooner AF is reverted to NSR, am assuming he is still in AF, the higher the chance of ablation being effective.

[BobD Volunteer]

Obviously he is still in AF following the ablation and yes a cardioversion (DCCV) is a good idea to try and get the heart back to normal before discharge. Patients are not normally sent out of the cath lab in AF as they are usually be cardioverted at the end of the procedure so it sounds as if he slipped back on the ward. I have had DCCV a few weeks post ablation before now which lasted for quite some time.

[ruby_jack]

Brilliant thanks all - so not unusual then. Spoke to him after the cardioversion and he said his consultant said it "accelerates" recovery. Bob - you are a fountain of knowledge - thank you for your help.

[Frances123]

I have LPAF (Lone Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation)and as I wasn’t in Afib when I had my ablation the consultant initiated it to see what was what during the procedure. Despite 5 attempts to shock me back into normal rhythm they couldn’t do it. Next morning consultant said if I didn’t self revert by lunchtime then it was nil by mouth and they would try cardioversion again. Luckily I self reverted 2 hours later so it wasn’t needed. As has been said it’s normally during or at end of procedure in the lab but yes, if needs be it can be afterwards as well.

Hopefully your husband is sorted now and at home resting. I wish you both well. x

[ruby_jack in reply to Frances123]

Thanks so much for response and hope your AF is now controlled. Yes he is home - picked him up late afternoon and he consumed a large meal despite saying he had no appetite!! Just picked off a couple of rogue electrode pads which had been left behind which, despite having a shower last night, he had not noticed!! Thanks again and best wishes on your AF journey. xx

[Ducky2003]

I had 2 during my cryoablation in April, one following them triggering AF for targeting and the 2nd when I popped back into AF as they were doing their pre-exit check. Glad to read your hubby is home now. I hope he has a good recovery but remember it's best to take things very, very slowly or Uncle Bob will roll his eyes.😁.

[ruby_jack in reply to Ducky2003]

Hi there - thanks for info. Haha yes I definitely don't want to get on the wrong side of Uncle Bob ! Hubby had a lazy day today, a bit dizzy and weary but the second anaesthetic not 48 hours yet so to be expected. I left him to it .....and decided on a bit of retail therapy with our daughter! Found out from reading his discharge notes that he was in AF after the ablation, flecainade did not work hence the cardioversion - you learn something new everyday.

[Ducky2003 in reply to ruby_jack]

To be fair, as my EP so eloquently put it, after all the poking and prodding your heart feels "p!$$ed off" so it's no wonder it feels like rebelling. Hopefully,the cardioversion keeps him on the straight and narrow.😊.