Going for cryo ablation at Barts on Tuesday and getting more stressed as it gets closer . A question is if I’m in AFIB during/after the ablation will they do cardioversion?
My PAF is often short lived and I’ve never had a cardioversion . The thought of both procedures stresses me more . I’m not having a GA
You will not leave the cath lab in AF.
You will not have a DCCV without being away with the fairies.
Stop worrying and look forward to your future.
Having been there, I totally agree with BobD’s comments. In the unlikely event that you feel any discomfort, make the team aware and they will increase the level of sedation…..let us know how you get on.
Thanks for the reply
Nothing to worry about with a Cardioversion. Hope everything goes well for you and this solves all your problems.
Nothing ??
No, I never worried about anything about the cardioversions - I have had 3 successful cardioversions and I know people who have had more with no problems whatsoever. The worry is much worse than the actual experience. I have to say I was more worried when my cousin had one.
Get your point . I’m actually going for Cryoablation but I understand its possible I might have a cardioversion if in AF at the end of the ablation
Try not to worry. With hindsight I wish I hadn’t worried unnecessarily before mine two weeks ago and believe me I really can worry some. Once you are there in the hospital and cathlab let the experts look after you. If I needed another I wouldn’t hesitate. You too will be fine.
BobD is right. State of the art facilities at St Barts. Don't overthink things - try and relax.
Just to add weight to previous replies the procedures and sedation are a relief not an ordeal, this is from a very nervous patient… me! You will be in nsr when you come out of the bath lab . It is absolutely natural to worry but you will be amazed at how your worries were unfounded after the procedure
Steve
Hi kalgs.
I had the cryo ablation at barts 3 weeks ago today. My worrying didn’t start until I actually got in the hospital but they are great there and will look after you. I was sedated also and you’ll be in and out of conciousness.
Letting them know to dose me up more wasn’t really an option for me as I was groggy as hell but I think the moaning may have given them some indication 😂 yes you can feel what’s going on but it’s not really painful. For me it was just the thought of what they were going to do/were doing in my body that made it difficult for me. Yes it’s easier said than done but you really need to try not to eat yourself up while you wait for the procedure. It truthfully is not as bad as you think it’s going to be. Just try to remain as calm as possible and know that you are in one of the best hands if not the best in the country.
I went into AF at the end of my 4/4.5 hour procedure and I’m assuming they dosed me up to max or knocked me out entirely as I don’t remember a thing about the cardio version they had to carry out and just remember waking up an hour later in a different bed.
If I’m totally honest, looking back this is rather annoying as if that was possible why didn’t they just do that at the start as they knew how nervous I was about it and I did ask if I could be completely out and they said wasn’t possible.
Outside of that they were very good and you really do need to rest assured that you are in the best of hands.
Hope this helps and good luck 👍
Grayson much . How are you feeling now . Did you leave same day ?
Grayson don’t know where that came from
I’m feeling ok now. Getting a few issues if I do too much. Feels like my blood pressure may be dropping. Getting sapped of all energy and nausea if I do too much but then again that’s probably just par for the course. I did have blood pressure issues during op though so could be that. They kept me in overnight to observe due to the blood pressure issues but most people will be kicked out same day.
It's really scary going in, but after having 3 ablations and now free from af (3 years) and the damage it did to my lv, I wish I hadn't stressed. The procedure itself is actually alot less complicated then what you might think, you are taken to the cath lab, they get you comfortable, you count backwards from 10, and wake up a few hours later with a small incision in your groin and pressure bandage on it. They will use procedures to both cause and stop afib during the procedure, as they need to map the areas to be ablated, you don't feel any of that. I was up and walking to the bathroom the evening after the procedure and went home the next day.
I had serious complications from being in afib, as it was damaging my heart, so my EF was critical, so I can't tell you the difference being out of afib has made to my life.
So I gaurentee whatever you are thinking an ablation is, the actual procedure is alot less scary and the benefits are massive.
Wishing you lots of luck and hearing all of the comments from people who have already had theirs, hopefully will make you feel a little better. I can imagine how you are feeling, I'm on the waiting list at St Barts , dont have a date yet and are already worrying 🤔.
Would love to hear how you get on. As they are all saying, I'm sure it will all be done and dusted before you know it. Good luck.
If you're not in AF during the procedure, they usually instigate it to help with mapping where to zap. I was cardioverted twice during mine. Once after the mapping and again as I went back into AF as they were doing their pre-withdrawl checks. I remember them saying "cardioversion" but assume they topped up the jungle juice as I didn't feel it. Best of luck.
How are you doing now?
I am an old nurse but I was really dreading my Cryoblation. I was given a cancellation appointment so everything was a great rush. However…I was so impressed with everything. The drugs that are given make one almost out for the count,and I only had to say ouch and they were topped up.There was a nurse there just to sit with me, not leaving me at all. Time goes so quickly and before you know it you are back in bed with it all over.
The most important thing I want to say is ….it should make a big difference to your life. It is wonderful to have a quiet heart.
Your part in this is to really take it easy afterwards. Your heart has to heal..so you might have some funny beats, headaches and discomfort in the early days.
Let us know how it goes. X
Thanks for you kind reply. I’m dreading it.
I dreaded the ablation on the run up but when I arrived at the hospital, a sense of calm descended from somewhere and even the registrar said how calm I appeared. I wont say don't worry, as you still will, but hope all goes ok.
You'll be sedated. I remembered the first ablation and it was easy peasy. I don't remember any of my five cardioversions. For my second ablation it was a GA and apparently I did have a CV at the end. Don't remember a thing.Try not to worry ( easier said than done, I know) you will be well looked after xx
Thanks
Hello I have been with Barts for 8 years had 4 ablutions and other ops
They are very caring and you will be looked after well
I had ablation about 5 weeks ago under sedation and was dc cardioverted twice. I remember being aware I was in AF but must have been given a top up as I don't recall anything nasty after that !
Before I went into the cath lab I said to the sister ' I hope they give me plenty of sedation'. She later asked me how anxious I was on a scale of 1 - 10......I wasn't too concerned as I'd been through it 3 times before so I said '4'. She said well I'll put down 8 so you'll get plenty of sedation 😁
Good luck!
3 times . When I hear of multiple ablations it makes me wonder if it’s worth it ?
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Cardioversion with amiodarone or straight to ablation?
