(63 year old - history of congenital heart disease - coarctation of aorta correction in 1969 - stroke 3 years ago - diagnosed atrial (probably) flutter 2 years ago - had 120+ heart rate continously for last 4 months)
Had catheter ablation at Birmingham 2 days ago under Mr Marshall. All went well. 114 tiny scorch marks on inside of heart resulted in massive groin bruise, bisopropol down from 12.5mg to 2.5 mg, and most importantly heart rate this morning down to 60 steady! Never realised how much my heart rate was so important to me! Thanks for all your advice and support so far.
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mrhappydays
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I dont think family and friends realise how debilitating AF can be mentally as well as physically. Here's hoping for a successful outcome and a swift recovery. As Uncle Bob says, read the advice notes and rest, and then rest some more.😊.
Pleased to hear that you've such a good heart rate now. I've never heard anyone say how many scorch marks they've had inside their heart. Or maybe I just wasn't told when I had mine. Let us know how you get on please.
I was blown away when the cardiac sister did the discharge and she used the phrase ‘scorch marks’ - I appreciate her honesty - in any other field it would be described as sadistic cruelty !
It was a mild ish GA - I was asleep for about 2 hours; woke up for 5mins on the table ; couldn’t see much but they did tell me to stop fidgeting ; went back to sleep ; woke up another 2 ish hours later in the ward being asked if I wanted a cup of tea. I then thought “ I’ve missed lunch , I can’t keep going til dinner at 5 “ when they provided a sandwich!! Weird day that I’m still processing .
Glad all good so far 🙂 Waking up in the middle of it would creep me out. Love the way they told you to stop fidgeting when it's their fault you woke up! Mine is on Wednesday 🤞
So your throat not too sore? Are you having to take acid reflux meds- I see them mentioned often by people who have ablations. Hope your recovery goes well x
Sore throat? That's a new one on me. I do have a tickly dry cough especially when active, but had it before ablation and am probably going to get medical advice. Is there any reason for sore throat? I was given oxygen as part of procedure.
Well normally you have oxygen with a mask just before you are knocked out by the GA being fed into your arm. Usually you are intubated to take care of breathing. That's why I wondered if your throat was sore. Maybe you just had gas which is why you woke up in the middle of the procedure ( too light) . It's so great all is going well and you had a well deserved sandwich 😀
Now you ve got me wondering. I know the hospital leaflet said that I would PROBABLY sleep through it all. Maybe its different as they were treating atrial flutter not fibrillation?
Hope all goes well Lilypocket. We will have to swop notes! I had my covid test and that was negative. Fed up of isolating now though and will be glad to get it done. X
Just to warn you, I did my statutory lateral flow test 3 days before ablation and printed off my confirmation to show hospital, but they till asked me to do another one when I got there . The wait to make sure it was ok did add to my anxious wait, especially as I was first down, and catheter team were chomping to get started.
I did a test today and am doing another one tomorrow morning before going in for 3pm. Did they give à TOE? I' ve been told I'm having à CT scan to check for clots. X
Trans thoracic echocardiogram. ( sorry if the spelling is dodgy- I live in France and my keyboard is changent my words into french ) You swallow a small device that looks behind your heart to check for clots or other reasons usually before or during an ablation procedure x
Sometimes ignorance is bliss . I really wouldnt want one unless I was knocked out but many people do have them without. I choke on melted cheese never mind a TOE device 😀
I am having a TOE during the process. They are doing this as an extra check on where they are putting the needle as they think my aorta may be in a slightly odd trajectory. This is why I’m having GA. X
Well think for RF ablation I have only ever heard that it is done under GA. Yes the TOE is reassuring - but I would prefer to be out for count for it too . I have no idea if I will have one . The EP said not but that I would be having blood tests and à CT scan to check the body for clots.
I shall be thinking of you and hope this ( your 3rd?) will sort it all out finally .
Yes GA. The EP only does RF ablations under GA. I think that he feels that in many cases after Cryroablation ( while very effective too) a top up/ second ablation is often required. Let's PM tomorrow evening or Thursday evening if we are both up to it!Take care x
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Ablation done this morning 
RF Balloon Ablation Done!
first part of pace and ablate done
Ablation done
Ablation done!!
