6 days post ablation for PAfib. Was feeling fine but now back in AFib for the past 12 hours. I’m on Flecainide 200mg and blood thinners. I thought I might get the odd flutter but I feel worse now than I have done for quite some time.
Does this mean the ablation has not been successful or is it too early to tell? Thanks
Probably too early to tell. Have you spoke to your EP? I would.
I can’t contact the EP. I had the ablation done in Blackpool and have the contact no for the cardiac nurse but I’m not sure if there is any point as she would probably say it’s too early to tell. I was really interested in the experiences of people post ablation as to whether any who had episodes of AFib in the 3 months after then became AFib free eventually… or is my experience a sign of ablation failure.
9 days POST afib cryo ablation I went back to an arrhythmia that was worse than before, apart from high HR I was asymptomatic previously, but now I was extremely breathless. I contacted the EPs PA and he said go to local hospital and get an ECG. I did and to cut a long story short I had developed Atrial flutter, most likely as a result of the flecainide I took. I reported back to the EP (me not the hospital) and 3 working days later I had an appointment with my EP and 3 weeks later I had an ablation for the flutter. I have had neither AFib nor AFlutter since, over 4 years ago.My advice is don't second guess what an EP may say!
He/she won't want you " not fixed" either!
How are you today?
Jean
I’m ok this morning… just feeling a bit tired and probably stressed that the ablation has not worked. I had high hopes as I believed the success rate with Dr Gall at Blackpool is about 90% wit PAfib. Perhaps I didn’t take enough care when I came home from hospital as my daughter and new baby were coming the following day and I ended up doing more than I had planned.
The scar tissue, created in the heart by your ablation, has not had time to form to block the rogue beats. I'm three weeks post an operation and the scars on my body are still forming scabs. You cant see yours, but they will be doing something similar. I remember feeling totally drained for weeks/months after my ablations. It will get better for you, give it three months.
Jean
How many ablations did you have and did it work in the end? I’m looking for some hope!
I had three ablations, the first two didn't really help, but the the third one did. Saying that the first one did stop my heart from banging in my chest if I walked up a hill. I had no idea that other peoples hearts didn't bang on exertion like mine.
Jean
I still have AF but now in it constantly. I can cope with that, doesn't make me feel ill and generally my heart rate never goes above 90bpm. Before the third ablation I used to be hospitalised because of the severity of my AF attacks.
Far too early - I am about 9 weeks post 3rd ablation & still getting bumps. there is a blanking period of 3 months so you really shouldnt stress. your heart has been burnt or frozen so will grumble on for some time whilst it heals. Keep a log & if you have a Kardia would recommend taking trends so you can share with your cardiologist
~Hi there Kevwray - can you define what "blanking period" means please & is it limited to 3 months post ablation? I have read the term here several times but not sure of its actual meaning.Many thanks indeed 
~
Expect to be tired and out of it, with some chest soreness and discomfort, for a day or two. It is common to experience afib, heart palpitations, and/or an increased heart rate after any heart procedure. That generally subsides once your heart heals, usually within three months..... thats the online guidance ...reality is you may have bumps after 3 months but doesnt mean things have failed
basically blanking period means any issues are seen as normal & disregarded by cardiologist as indication of failure
~Thank you very helpful indeed - I am 13 weeks post PVI cryo-ablation, few thumps here & there + odd spikes in heart rate. Check-up EP last week favorable - next week see GP to discuss b/p.So thus far all appears as well as can be - I am truly grateful & blessed.
Hi Thomas
I had a Cryoblation 10 weeks ago and I’m still in AF 50 % of the time .
I’ve been told not to panic as it still doesn’t mean it’s failed etc .
Stay positive and remain calm your in very early days yet
Thanks
Matt
Following a second (PVI) ablation about seven years ago I was told it was successful as they had created the necessary scar tissue around the pulmonary veins. However, within a couple of days I was experiencing AF once again. I hoped that this was just a blip and that the healing would take place during the blanking period.
After about six or seven weeks the EP called me in and agreed that the procedure had not been successful. I felt within a couple of days that it had not worked which was to say the least extremely disappointing. Most contributors to this forum will say that it is too early to tell but I knew pretty much straight away.
I have lived with (now permanent) AF for five or six years. I am okay living with it much of the time but the exhaustion can be absolutely debilitating. I was offered a third chance but declined this due to the extreme disappointment of having had two failures. That is hard to describe. Maybe with the benefit of hindsight I should’ve gone for the third ablation. I certainly think there is a view these days that lots of rest and recuperation is recommended where as in the past they would say you are free to go back to work within a few days. I appreciate this is not what you want to hear but it is my personal experience. I wish you well in your recovery and hope that indeed your ablation has been successful.
Hi, what is your heart rate during Afib when your resting and when Clive?
I mean active?
Resting typically 75 to 90. Varies over 100 when active.
Phil, I think I knew fairly quickly that my first two ablations hadn't worked, but after the third I felt well right away. My heart rate is much the same as yours now and I can cope with that.
This is bound to happen as your heart is inflamed, or rather the tissue around it. The same thing happened to me after my first ablation. I'm in the US and read your post later than those in the UK. I hope you're improved by now.
I had my only ablation 3 weeks ago and have had one AFib event 5 days later that lasted about 4 hours. I spoke to my cardiologist about it. He told me not to worry, that this was very normal and that I may get several more.
What Snowgirl says! She really helped me with this for ablation #1. In fact that one didn't hold but we knew right away things hadn't gone to plan, and TBF they did tell me. Nevertheless things DID improve - episodes still happened but nowhere near as bad, often self terminating. First 3 weeks I admit we're horrid, and like you, felt 'worse than before'. Highly likely things will improve. Be kind to yourself and listen to your body without expectations (easy to say I know).;
Still early days but you need to make sure that you rest and don't overdo things to give your heart time to settle and heal.
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