Cryobaltion and ablation while awake ?

[mjm1971]

Hi all

Has anyone had the following procedure in the last 12 months while awake and sedated ?

I’m having a cryoblation for my Af and an Ablation for my Flutter in the same procedure while awake !!

Can’t say that I’m very happy about being awake

Been told I may feel a twinge in my stomach as they do something to my diaphragm and then I will feel the. Speed up and slow my heart down abs I may get bad brain freeze when they do the cryoblation

Wife says I should man up lol

Seriously though be good to get your experiences please

[10gingercats]

I have not had an ablation with sedation but had a hole in my heart closed via a hole in my groin with sedation. I expected to feel all the 'fiddling' to get the gadget in place in my heart but it was fine.

[Physalis in reply to 10gingercats]

I've got a hole in the heart. Why was yours closed?

[10gingercats in reply to Physalis]

I had an embolism /TIA and rather than risk a big stroke the cardiologist/surgeon closed it.I already had untreated Af at that time.I was 72 at the time.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had two ablations under sedation and was totally unaware of what was going on. A nurse sat watching me and every time I started becoming a little aware, the sedation was increased and I'd drift off again.

[Rubymurray25 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Beautifully explained and very reassuring.

[CDreamer]

I had 2 ablations with sedation, not a problem as they also give an amnesiac drug which meant I remembered only bits were I was lightly sedated or the EP wanted to ask me something. Both ablations were 7 hours, most of which I slept through.

[mjm1971 in reply to CDreamer]

So yours were ablations rather than Cryoblations ? Cryo are a lot quicker apparently aren’t they ?

I’ve been told 20 mins max for each vein

( I have 4 to do ) they cryo and 1 hour for the vein they have to ablate for the Flutter

[CDreamer in reply to mjm1971]

Not everyone is suitable for cryo as uses a balloon & as I have 3 rather than 4 Pulminary veins - 2 being co-joined into 1 huge vein - (EP’s words) - it wasn’t an option for me.

Many people also need a RF touch up after cryo.

Also mine were in 2013/14 and equipment & techniques have improved.

[Foxey2]

I had a cryo ablation 2 weeks ago for AFib under sedation. I was aware of what was going on but relaxed. I had 5 cryo lasting about 5 mins each one. I didn’t feel them going in my groin up to my heart at all. A weird ice cream headache and feeling in my throat while the cryo was being done and they induced a hiccup feeling on a couple of them. I was taken in at 9am (1st on the list) and came back to the ward about 12.30 just feeling tired with a slight ache in my chest. I had been so nervous before hand but it was fine and felt like it was over very quickly probably due to the sedation.

[mjm1971 in reply to Foxey2]

Hi Foxey Thanks for your reply it helps a lot

I see you had yours at St Barts

I’m also having mine done there

Which doctor were you under etc

Did you stay in overnight ?

I’ve had my first phone consultation but no date yet ( doc said 6 weeks to wait )

How long did you wait from your phone consultation ?

Thanks

Matt

[Foxey2 in reply to mjm1971]

HiI had mine done by Dr James Rosengarten, really seemed to know his stuff.

I was first on the list so went down at 9, was back about 12.30. I then had to lie flat for 2 hours to make sure the groin incision had stopped bleeding (I had no problems with this) then a nurse came and took the 1 stitch out and put a compression bandage on it and I had something to eat and drink. They monitored me for another couple of hours then I had an ECG and was told I was able to go home. I left about 5.30pm.

I had my consultation in May when it was decided to do an Ablation and it was carried out 15 Oct so about 5 months wait which I didn’t think was too bad given the current covid situation. 🙂

[Palpman]

I had radio ablation for AFlutter with no sedation at all. I had no discomfort , pain or anxiety. The nurse said my Lorazopan for anxiety was good enough so no sedation needed. 😕

[robster68]

Hi there, I had an Ablation last Tuesday, I had neither general nor sedation.

Had local for entry / exit, morphine and paracetamol. Couldn't tell you the quantities of either.

Felt some discomfort when catheter put in and 3rd/4th ablation but other than that all good.

Not sure if that's the same all round.

Rob

[Neoneo]

I have had both, three in total, and found them quite uncomfortable, especially the cryo. The cryo was the last and I was ok for eighteen months. It has all kicked off again, I think second time round you are more aware of the procedure and what to expect, so if I have to have it done again, I will be nervous but ready for the discomfort. Good luck.

[bassets]

I had a cryo ablation and watched the hole process on screen under sedation. I was awake enough to ask the EP about the procedure. The only problem was that it hurt a bit when he actually froze parts of the heart but it didn't last long. I bled a lot afterwards but that was sorted and I was able to go home that day. It was worse worrying about it I think. Good luck

[Jajarunner]

It was easy peasy for me. Weird spasms in diaphragm and some weird pain in face as they freeze but bearable and only lasts a second or two. I was amazed how straight forward it was tbh. You can get extra sedation or pain relief if you need it too. Good luck x

[Snowgirl65]

I was completely "out" for both my ablations, but a man with whom I worked had a cryo and was wide awake, able to see the procedure on a screen, and was fascinated. He hardly felt a thing, he said, other than a slight -- very slight -- burning sensation. His experience prompted me to look into finally having an ablation.