As promised here’s a follow up on my PVI cryoablation (for context leading up to this see my last post (AFib saved my life)
Hopefully this helps balance out some of the not so good experiences that have been are more frequently reported
PROCEDURE
My Cryoablation was on 18th May undertaken by Dr Petkar (head elecro physiologist) at New Cross hospital which apparently was one of the first UK centres to adopt Cryo balloon technology .
Very nervous about the whole procedure & was in sinus rhythm the 2 weeks prior.
Whole procedure was totally painless and trouble-free apart from a little discomfort inserting the cannula in my left arm.
Notable events:-
very chilly catheter lab & in combination with me being nervous couldn’t stop shaking which was resolved when I was covered in an electric blanket and sedated.
(Cath lab looked like a science fiction movie set)
The only slight discomfort was fitting the cannula in my arm but nothing to worry about. No pain whatsoever during insertion of the catheter in the groin. ( didn’t even feel the local anaesthetic injection)
On two or three occasions had a barely detectable headache to front left side - but was expecting an ice cream headache which never happened.
I felt some warmth on the left side of my chest (When I think iodine (for contrast) was administered (same as a CT. scan).
The most notable sensation was the strong diaphragm contractions at regular 1 second intervals to monitor diaphragm function ( it’s an early warning safeguard against phrenic nerve damage when ablating the 2 veins closest to the phrenic nerve)
I thought I was awake for the whole procedure listening to the conversations & looking around- but couldn’t have been as I remember suddenly being in the recovery room with a nurse trying to be give me a drink through a straw and I asked why all the equipment had been removed!
Dr Petkar saw me before I was discharged & said that it had been a success as he managed to electrically isolate all veins despite 2 of them being too large for the Cryo balloon. I asked him how he managed it and he said the balloon is easily manoeuvrable (testament to his experience) but but took an extra hour with the total time being 3 1/2hrs.
I was discharged after four hours in the recovery ward (would’ve been earlier but had to wait to recover normal blood pressure after the sedation.
Once fully recovered from sedation no pain or discomfort and felt absolutely fine as if nothing had happened.
RECOVERY
The first 3 days I confined myself to the house then gradually increased walking and activity outside ( now doing 3 mile brisk walks after 3weeks) the AFA guidance was a Godsend)
In Sinus rhythm for first three days then without any obvious trigger AF for 3 days.
following a number of attempts at flecainide / atenolol pill in pocket eventually converted back to SR for 2days then then without any obvious trigger atrial flutter which lasted 4 days despite usual pill in pocket attempts at converting
Atrial flutter is definitely preferable to atrial fibrillation as it is was virtually unnoticeable due to the only slightly irregular rhythm but faster at 76 bpm (I understand 1 to 4ratio) resting instead of my usual 48 bpm
this only caused a problem when walking briskly as it very easily increased to 110+ bpm
-Then miraculously it converted to SR and has been in ever since( now 13days & also no ectopics )
Started part time working again at home on the computer after 10 days- although could have started earlier)
I know it’s Early in the blanking period and
these episodes are to be expected but am hopeful that SR will be maintained -
but still wary (having had 40years of this!)
I only had minor bruising around the site of the catheter which has now virtually disappeared - and a very small painless pea size lump under the skin which is shrinking.
To summarise I’m glad I decided to proceed & so far the only negative was the fear of the procedure itself & worries about possible complications - none of which have occurred so far so good!🤞
Hope this positive outcome (so far) is encouraging to few of you contemplating a Cryoablation
Cryo or elec ablation
Outlook after cryo ablation 
Cryo ablation - Sedation -update
Cryo ablation tomorrow at 8AM
Breathless after cryo ablation
