My Doctor's have always said that o
nce you're in afib for a prolonged period of time that ablation is off the table. Funny enough though, I just ran into a 60 year old guy that had a successful ablation after 10 years in afib. Anyone have info or experience with this?
When you say you have been in AF for 20 years is that all the time or that you have had paroxysmal AF for 20 years? Either way it seems odd that you have just thought about ablation?
The point would really be if you can be brought into NSR using drugs or electrical cardioversion (DCCV) before considering ablation. If not then ablation is very unlikely to work. Also consider that it may (probably will ) require more than one attempt which for you unfortunate Americans may not be financially possible,
The most important point of all is that any and all treatment for AF is only ever for quality of life. Only you know how good or bad that is and what lifestyle changes you have made to reduce your AF burden (less meat. no alcohol, caffeine, processed foods etc)
Yeah, been full time afib for 20 years. Keeping BP under control and a blood thinner and I don't really notice it. If I run a 5k, I'll gas out quicker than others. This had made me focus on overall health and maintaining optimal condition with intermittent fasting, very limited processed anything and low carbs. *snarky alert ;-)* Most hard working folks here in the states have good health insurance, so that's no part of the dilemma. I guess that given my quality of life, you'd not advise ablation.
If it ain't broke don't fix it. Surprised nobody tried cardioversion to see if you can attain NSR though.
We do see some of our US visitors here being denied some things whilst others seem almost pushed into procedures with undue haste. Here in UK if you are offered ablation it is because the doctor thinks it will help whilst those for whom it may be a waste of time are not.
I guess I didn't start with my history since I really just was asking about ablation after long term AF. When I was first diagnosed at 36 years old I had an attempted cardioversion and also a IV drip with some new treatment. I can't remember what it was, but the cardiologist had to be in the room with me the whole time. Both failed with zero days in NSR. Since I was doing so well with blood pressure and rate control, the Dr never recommended ablation. My older brother had his first episodes of AF at 60 years old, had ablation and has been in NSR since... A year now. For what it's worth. I did a 23&me health and geneology DNA test and it said I was at a higher risk of AF.
All medical intervention in the US is not the same. My medical is with 'Kaiser' which is like socialized medicine in a third world country.
I've been waiting for an ablation since last September. I go in for the needed MRI this next week and hope to have the ablation a few weeks after. When I've asked my cardiologist for a cardioversion to get me by in the meantime, his answer is that I could just go right back into AFib the same day.
Hopefully the ablation works. Otherwise, I'll likely be waiting 6 or 8 months until the next one.
See if this may help in the mean time. carrafibdietinfo.com/
Advice on Afib after Catheter Ablation
Second Ablation in my four year journey with AFIB 
Laser Ablation for Afib?
from sinus rhythm back to afib after ablation 
Afib back 7 months after Ablation
