Pace and Ablate

[barnac]

does pace and ablate really help with PAF my EP has suggested it as an alternative to medication , currently on 120 sotalol twice daily . I had a pacemaker fitted last christmas.

[BobD Volunteer]

P and A never stops AF. All that happens is that your ventricle is controlled by the pacemaker on which you are dependent meaning that the fatigue etc normally associated with it is gone. the left atrium will still fibrillate at will and you may well still feel this.

[barnac in reply to BobD]

Thank you , I'm due a consultation soon , and having had 4 ablations am scared taking this final step, although if it stops the "episodes" which for me are quite painful , that would be a bonus. I guess it's a case of going ahead or staying on meds, getting breathless doesn't help, other than that I'm happily pretty healthy.

[Eliza2 in reply to barnac]

Yes P and A does really really help. While yes it does not stop the afib you will not feel it much at all and it helps preserve the heart muscle but not allowing it to beat wildly. I had 3 ablations they didn’t work and had the P abd A wish I could have done it sooner!

[barnac in reply to Eliza2]

Thank you , that's so reassuring . I think it's the thought of relying on a tiny machine as well.

[Eliza2 in reply to barnac]

Yes it does take a bit getting used to but with time I barely think about it now

[playcards]

Having a P &A has transformed my life and protects me against VT. I am happier to rely on the device than on my faulty and unreliable heart! Good luck.

[barnac in reply to playcards]

Thank you , so far everyone seems positive , not being able to have face to face consultation makes it difficult to ask the right questions, this site is so helpful.

[Ashburton51]

I have had two ablations which didn't work and I always get side affects from the different medications I have been on. I had to find another EP as the one I was with was extremely patronising when I had my telephone consultation with him. Even the AF nurse was appalled and spoke to him about it! Anyway the new consultant has recommended a pace and ablate as the best option for me. I should have the pacemaker fitted in February and then two months later I should be having the AV Node ablation. It was a scary thought having a pacemaker fitted as it had never crossed my mind before. However I was confidently told that the success rate of the pace and ablate, in my situation, was far greater than going for another ablation. It has to be better than having AF every day and it lasting up to fourteen hours at a time which is what has been happening since it came back this year. I am now only taking Apixaban twice a day.Gloria

[Eliza2 in reply to Ashburton51]

Yes for sure! You will feel better.

[barnac]

I'm very lucky in having a great EP who is very understanding , phone consults throw me I seem to lose the ability to ask the right questions. I had a pacemaker fitted last Dec and a change to Sotalol the dosage has been gradually upped over the year, worst side effect seems to be getting breathless. He has said that the next step would be to ablate , hence my questions.