I went for my long-awaited ablation last week. Had to stop meds 2 days before and I was in AF when I arrived at the hospital. HR was 190 . The EP was pleased, said it would be easier for him to do the ablation. I reverted to NSR while he was doing the mapping, so he gave me something to induce AF again. I had a bad reaction to it - shaking and panicking, so I was sedated and cardioverted. I don't remember any of it, when I woke I was back in recovery with no ablation done. Is it always necessary to be in AF during the procedure? I read of people being put to sleep and waking with it all done. I am so disappointed. He won't try again, the next possibility is a pacemaker. What are the chances of that curing my AF?
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Tango6
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There is no need to be in AF at the time of procedure as the EP can induce AF as he did on this occasion. It is unfortunate that you had a bad reaction to the drug used and that you were not sedated properly .
A Pacemaker alone will not normally stop AF unless followed by an AV Node ablation making you pacemaker dependent. Do seriously consider having a second atempt.
I'm speechless at your being told you will not be offered the chance of another try at ablation. There must be more to your story surely! What reason did your EP give for saying that?
He didn't give any reason - he just said he couldn't do it unless I was in AF. I don't want to go through that again. Do you think I should seek a second opinion ? It's very hard to get an appointment, so I'm wondering whether to have a private consultation with a different EP.
My EP will only do my ablation when in AF last time whatever he was doing put me into nrs and he wasn’t able to induce af. So his words it was guess work. His plan going forward was to wait until I went back into Af and list me for an urgent ablation which is about a 6 week wait. I’ve only choose not to follow this path as this would of been my 5 ablation. Email him if unable to get a face to face appointment and ask for his reasoning to refuse to attempt a second ablation. Good luck
Yes, certainly seek a second opinion. I've had 3 ablations and didn't need to be in AF for any of them. Perhaps put another post on here asking members for the name of an EP who has cured their AF after 1 ablation. A private consultation sounds like a good idea.
MummyLuv has recently had what's called a mini maze procedure and is singing it's praises as she is feeling so well. This is where they do an ablation through the wall of the chest using micro surgery (not open chest). You may have already read some of her posts on here?
Sorry about what happened. No need to be in afib at the time ablation or even for the ep to be able to induce afib. "Empirical" PVI ablations are done all the time, probably the majority of time. "Empirical" ablation is an ablation based on observation and evidence. So if you ep knows you have a history of afib, that's all they need to know before doing an PVI. Being in afib at the time is just a bonus. As others have said, see another ep, preferably one not affiliated with the same hospital or medical group. You should also consider general anesthesia next time.
As others have said, definitely second opinion. If you can stretch to it,research an EP who actually knows what they are doing and book a private consultation. Discuss options and then he/ she can put you on their NHS list.Frankly,I'm appalled.
Are you sure it wasn't the caretaker doing this?!!! Sorry to joke but really.....!
Thank you for all your advice - I checked on the EP, he has 20 years experience and the hospital is supposed to be one of the best for cardiac treatment! I think I will email and ask for further explanation. I don't want to give up on an ablation, even if it means travelling to a different part of the country.
I agree with Bob & Jeannie. It's certainly worth getting a 2nd opinion privately if you can afford it. Might be worth asking on here if anyone in your area can advise on a cardiac consultant. My 1st ablation was done under sedation but for my last 3 I had a GA. Even then I went into af automatically. The consultant for my last 2 only uses GA as he said easier for patient & him.
Sounds more like he doesn't want the hassle. I was told not to worry if I was in NSR as they'd poke the beast if need be. Maybe they should consider GA if you are likely to have a panic attack but yes, I'd get another opinion.
My experience was I was told it was up to individual consultants whether to stop meds. I was told my consultant preferred you to be kept on meds to prevent a situation like you had, because they would not be able to do ablation if I was in AF.
I was sedated and allowed to go home same day after about 8hrs recovery.
That's very strange since both of my Cardiologists said I didn't need to be in Afib prior to the procedure and both mentioned I would probably need more than 1 as well. Note: I came to the realization that Cardiologists love doing ablations considering the odds are 1 ablation doesn't work for long and they know they are going to get paid for several in your future. Here in the U.S. insurance companies hate ablations. Moreover, I was worse after my 1st ablation then when I was on meds for 2 yrs prior. It is what it is.
I have read hundreds of posts on this forum but yours is very odd. Having said that go for a second opinion because something is clearly bizzare with the first advice. Good luck going forward.
I have been in your situation. Mine was aborted due to rare complication and EP said he wouldn’t risk another. I had various second opinions from EPs in England who said they would do it for me under GA so they could put a camera down to check the back of the heart. My own EP said GA wasn’t an option and as I live in Wales I couldn’t be referred to England. Then years later a different EP from the same team offered me another under GA. I have just had this but the jury is out as to whether it will work as there was so long in between that my AF had become persistent. Don’t be like me, get this situation sorted out one way or the other but to your satisfaction. Good luck.
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