Ablation under general anesthesia with obstructive sleep apnea

[captainKFF]

Hi everybody,

If someone has sleep apnea, is it it safe to undergo an RF Afib ablation under general anesthesia? Especially if the patient doesn’t have or use CPAP?

[BobD Volunteer]

I would say yes. If GA given you are intubated i e a tube is stuffed down your throat (non medical term) to do the breathing for you so you can't choke.

[captainKFF in reply to BobD]

Bob,Thanks for your prompt reply, it’s reassuring to know that even if you have OSA you can still undergo and benefit from an ablation without worrying about pre or post complications from sleep apnea due to GA.

[jeanjeannie50]

Your heart is monitored throughout an ablation, so they'd soon know if you stopped breathing.

[Bluetonic]

Yes, I had one nearly 5 years ago and have been in NSR since.Big question would be why don't they have and use a cpap ?

AF and SA are known to go hand in hand.

[Megams]

~Hi captainKFF - I have mild sleep apnea & use CPAP.Just had PV cryoablation under GA 5 days ago - made sure Anaesthetist aware of all my medical issues - no problem & used my CPAP whilst in hospital with no issues.

Woke in my room on oxygen.

Good luck.

[JohnEagel]

Hello mate,

had my ablation in 2017 under GA and I do have sleep apnea. There was no problem. I was out in a second and woke up in the revovery room and then 1 day in the CCU for monitoring just to be thorough. Hospital provided me with a CPAP, did not have to bring my own.

I am using a CPAP since 2015 and jt really helps. Reckon I had sleep apnea many years before but only during my Afib examination the EP sent me to the sleep laboratory.

If you have a confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis then you should probably ask your Doctor to get you a CPAP.

Cheers and may the force be with you

J