EP recommendation

[foxglove1]

For past couple of years Ive been trying to decide on yes or no to an ablation. I am now at yes! although fretful. My PAF is not too bad, once in every 6 weeks or so, at night, and can go on for 6/8 hours and then revert. During this time it can be very symptomatic. I am on apixoban only.

My question is (1) I am nearing the top of the waiting list and would like to know if anyone has had an ablation from Dr Mark Gallagher at St Georges Hospital in London?

and (2) has anyone come through an ablation getting rid of one arrhythmia only to get another. My AF is bad enough.

thanks so much for reading

[10gingercats]

I googled this cardiologist/ep. out of interes/curiosityt and found quite a few good reviews of patients experiences of him. He also has a reputation for being good at difficult ops. Which sounds like a bonus to me.

[Hidden]

Hello foxglove, yes, both my ablations were carried out by Dr Gallagher at St George’s Hospital. The first was a Cryoablation back in 2016 which went OK, but because one of my pulmonary veins was irregular in shape, he had difficulty in treating it using the expanding balloon so it was no surprise when I was advised to have a second RF ablation two years later and all is well 🤞. He has also spoken at our support group meeting before the pandemic when they we “live” at Epsom Hospital, it turned out to be one of the best attended meetings we had. He is a modest, quietly spoken Irishman who knows his stuff and clearly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with members of the Group and said he liked it when patients had some knowledge of the condition. I believe he was one of Professor John Camms team at St George’s and the Professor, who is retired now, remains a key Trustee and supporter of the AF Association.

I certainly felt confident that he would do the best he could for me.

I am anxious that this reply is seen purely as my own personal opinion and the link I have attached is an NHS educational video describing the ablation process which happens to have been produced at St George’s and carried out by Dr Gallagher so it is not an advertisement……

nhs.uk/video/pages/guide-to...

[foxglove1 in reply to Hidden]

Your own personal opinion absolutely.Thank you FJ and 10gingercats hearing what you had to say has given me some confidence. I’m dreading the whole experience.

Can I just ask FJ, did you have lots of episodes after the first ablation? and how long were you free before symptoms reappeared and you had to have the2nd ?

[Natur in reply to foxglove1]

If alcohol consumption has ever been associated with afib for you, then completely avoid it for 90 days after ablation. I failed to do that and had a couple episodes after the ablation in first couple of months. Had to be cardioverted. Heart seems normal now though.

[foxglove1 in reply to Natur]

Thank you Natur. I’ve never had a problem with alcohol or caffeine amazing really when I read what others say. That said after the ablation I shan’t be doing either. Just in case. I want to get myself fit for my long haul flight at Christmas. Thank you for letting me know how you went. Know everyone is different but after your couple of horrid episodes are you completely ok now? I do hope so.

[Hidden]

I was originally diagnosed with lone persistent AF in 2014. Because it was known that one PV was not fully treated, I remained on a maintenance dose of 2 x 50 mg Flecainide for 6 months and that kept AF at bay. After I stopped the medication, I had a number of much milder episodes but they stopped very quickly using Flecainide as a PiP. After the second ablation, I had no episodes for about 7 months. I then had about 6 episodes in fairly quick succession but they were even milder and also stopped quicker. I was actually put on his list for a 3rd ablation but I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid and had radioactive iodine treatment which brought my thyroid back into range and the episodes ceased. It’s now almost 2years since I had an episode and it will be interesting to see what comes from my next review in about 3 weeks time.

I’m happy to tell you all this information about me, and I’m sure you will appreciate that we are all different so your story is likely to be different. The important thing is that I have confidence in my EP…..hope this helps.

[foxglove1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for replying. Pleased for you no episodes for two years. How wonderful!

[Singwell]

Sometimes you'll get episodes in the blanking period- it's quite normal - the amount varies between individuals. Personally I have not developed new arrhythmias, I'm almost 5 months post ablation, feeling good and no AF for over 2 months. Time will tell. Like Jack said, it's likely even if you do continue to get AF intermittently after an ablation (and the healing time of 3+ months), your episodes will be less frequent and less symptomatic. Definitely worth doing in my case. My pattern was similar to yours and I was very symptomatic.

[secondtry]

I think it is important you go with your gut feel to have an ablation and its a good move to build confidence in your EP involved. The episodes have to be stopped. Do make sure you are in good physical condition eg no stress, good exercise and Vit C.

Our opinions here are mainly based on personal experience and no formal training. I always think it slightly odd when someone goes from diagnosis to ablation skipping any attempt at stopping AF with medication. I say this because I was offered an ablation by two cardiologists and an EP after Flecainide 100mgs did not stop my episodes; I elected to try an increased dose 200mgs first, which has worked very well for 8yrs.

[foxglove1 in reply to secondtry]

thats encouraging Singwell. thank you. I know everyone is different but these comments are helping me. I plan to do a longhaul flight at christmas, and have the tickets, hence hoping any ablation which Im told will be soon, will have worked even if its just reducing the length of time being in afib during an episode. I can be up to 8 hours and its horrible as everyone knows. thanks again

[Buffafly]

I’m assuming all drugs for AF didn’t suit you?

[foxglove1 in reply to Buffafly]

Hi Buffaflyyes my EP did not think I was in his words a good candidate of Bisop as my heart rate generally is quite low (unless Im in afib of course when it goes mad)I know I have had afib since 2008 although at that time I did not know. It wasn't until a few year later and several episodes that I was formally diagnosed. thanks for replying

[foxglove1]

Tbh I didn’t initially want drugs, apart from Apixoban, but ep stated not good candidate for beta blocker

[Jetcat]

With the posts Iv read it sounds like you’ll be in great hands.👍I hope you go through with it, It was a no brainier for me but I realise we are all different and hav different worries.

Best wishes whatever your choice.👍x

[foxglove1 in reply to Jetcat]

Thank you Jetcat! It’s so reassuring reading everyone’s comments.

[Jetcat in reply to foxglove1]

You’ll be fine.👍x