6 weeks post Cryoblation and 3 days post Covid : AF episodes and not happy .

[mjm1971]

Hi All

Firstly this is not anti the Cryoblation .

That process went really well and I will have another go at the blink of an eye if needed .

My problem is that I have been in AF for 4 of the last 6 days , I was in AF for 3 days had 1 day break and then today back in .

Thankfully I don’t really suffer serious symptoms, tired and a bit spacey but can carry on everyday activities .

My problem is that it has really got to me today . I’m still on 200mg of Flec and 2.5mg of Bisoporol but still I’m in AF

I know this can happen and people will say 6 weeks is nothing post ablation but I’m just preying it’s the fact I’ve had Covid that’s causing this blip and it will pass quickly .

Today has been tough mentally for me as I’m convinced that being in AF will stop the scaring of the veins from blocking .

Surely the best results after an ablation are those that stay out of AF during the blanking period .

This has bought me down today and I know there’s nothing I can do but hope but sometimes this poxy AF kicks you where you hurts .

Onwards and upwards and hope your all as well as can be expected

Matt

[Irev83]

Hey there!I can totally understand your frustration. I think it’s quite common though to develop afib after a Covid-19 infection. Also you’re still in the blanking period.

The first few weeks after my husbands ablation, he had episodes of afib that, after about 3 months, totally went away. We thought at first it didn’t work but it really needed some time!

Being in afib won’t stop the veins from scaring. That’s not possible.

Wishing you all the best and try to stay positive (as hard as that is, I know!)

[Easternmost]

I totally understand the worries that you have right now. You can expect some episodes whilst in the blanking period or if you have Covid and unfortunately you have got both. However, it does not mean that your ablation has or will fail . I would certainly recommend chatting it through with your arrhythmia nurses where you had your procedure, but your body is healing and having a slight setback due to an infection. Rest, deep breath & keep hydrated. Wishing you well.

[Singwell]

So sorry to read this and a reminder for us all that big C can still impact us badly. A younger friend if ours who's immunosuppressed has really suffered with it and is mapping his HR variability. Apparently it's gone to pot during COVID, so this might be why you're having such a hard time. So - reason for telling you this - highly likely it's the COVID. And you're right - the goal is to knock episodes on the head if possible post ablation. I recommend calling your EPs office or arrhythmia nurse for advice . At very least it might be worth asking about extra PiP use of Flecainide since we can take up to 300mg within 24 hours.

Fingers crossed for you!

[Ppiman]

I've read that there are very good reasons why recurring AF is a normal part of the post ablation period. The useful scarring that occurs in the left atrium takes months to form and, in its development, can lead to AF recurring. With luck and statistics on your side, I'd say you'll be fine after 6 months or so! I hope that proves to be the case.

Viruses such as the coronavirus, do, I gather, cause changes to the heart but these are temporary most of the time. I doubt this has helped you but that you'll soon be over it.

Steve

[belindalore]

Covid has caused lasting side effects for many people as well as the vaccines. Sadly I don't think many Drs really know what is going on with all of it. I rely on what people have personally experienced. Hopefully you will get through what problems you are having. Take care and be safe.

[KMRobbo]

As someone else has said, Covid is known to cause heart arrhythmias in people who did not previously have them. So the apparent recurrence of your AFib may not be anything to do with the ablation. I know if I get any type of bug I get increases in Ectopics, so if I get covid I would expect worse things.

All you can do is rest and see what happens.

I not medically trained but suspect that the scars created by the cryoablation will still be scars whether you have Covid or not, so I would think if your EP thought your AFIB was from the pulmonary veins then the previous cause will be sorted and you will have been fixed from that point!

Best wishes for that and your covid recovery.