Follow up RF Ablation

[Hammerboy]

I had my pre assessment yesterday and I was really impressed with the level of detailed information I got from the arrhythmia nurse . He spent an hour going through the whole procedure including drawing the heart on paper and explaining mapping and controlling coagulation over the possibly 3 hours of being under anaesthetic.

He did mention I may have a numb thigh for a few days after which I didn't get with my previous cryo ablation.

I definitely feel more relaxed about the whole thing and how thorough they seem to be .He was also honest about the chances of success and although confident they can improve things there are no guarantees

Here's hoping

[Jalia]

That sounds a really excellent meeting and shows what a difference it makes when you are fully informed. Hope all goes well for you on the day . Which hospital are you with ?

[Hammerboy in reply to Jalia]

I'm at the Norfolk and Norwich , the same EP will perform the ablation as before.I was quite blown away by the detail of how mapping works and how much work goes into finding all the rogue signals. Three hours seemed a long time to be under until it was explained what goes into it . Of course it could be shorter depending on what they find one they are inside my heart .

State of the art stuff 🙂

[Jalia in reply to Hammerboy]

It is amazing what they do . I've had 4 RF ablations, the first at the Heart Hospital in London and 3 subsequently at Sussex Cardiac Centre all with same EP. 3 of these were under sedation and all circa 4 hours, the last one I believe was 5. I much prefer sedation.

[Hammerboy in reply to Jalia]

I did ask if sedation was possible but I think this EP prefers you under .I understand they will be looking for faults in the other side of the heart from where the pulmonary veins were ablated previously .They are hoping if they didn't quite get them fully scarred they can mop up with RF but will do the mapping to make sure there's nothing going on in the opposite side .

They seem to think my AF is possibly related to vagal stimulation and 2 of the PV are located very close to the vagus nerve . If one or more of those PV were not completely scarred that may be why the AF continued so much after the Cryo .

All supposition of course but we will find out next week 🙂

[Singwell in reply to Hammerboy]

You're better of fully under. Just might feel groggy on and off for a week. I've had both ways and wouldn't do sedation again.

[pottypete1 in reply to Hammerboy]

Three hours is not a long time for an ablation. I have had 7 and most lasted at least 5 hours. The longest one I looked at the clock at 08:30 when I was being anaesthetised and woke up a 17:30.

All well now and all the hard work proved successful in the end. On a couple of blips per year now.

Pete

[Hammerboy in reply to pottypete1]

That's very encouraging, I think it must depend on what they see once they are inside the heart .The arrhythmia nurse said they tend to have rest periods of about 15 minutes during the procedure to let the heart settle and reduce inflammation.

It must be hard work and very tiring for the team.

Hats off to them

[Hidden]

All very encouraging, I’ve made Norfolk_spaniel aware because he posted about your hospital a few days ago…..

[Hammerboy in reply to Hidden]

I'll put a post on once I'm out with any information that may help .

[localad]

I was treated (AF and flutter)at the Norfolk and Norwich too. First class department. Arrythmia nurse team were very helpful.

[Hammerboy in reply to localad]

The male nurse I saw was great , so friendly and informative and answered every question I could think of with all the technical issues explained thoroughly .Dr Till is performing my ablation at the N&N .

[localad in reply to Hammerboy]

Hope it all goes well for you, Hammerboy.

Dr Till was my EP too.

18 months now of normality after 3 years of constant AF. I take my hat off to the whole team at N&N

[Hammerboy in reply to localad]

Many thanks , I have great faith in the team so far 👍

[KMRobbo]

Best wishes

[Hammerboy in reply to KMRobbo]

Many thanks

[djbgatekeeper]

Best of luck for the procedure, sounds like you are in really good hands there, great service from the team.

[Hammerboy in reply to djbgatekeeper]

Many thanks 😊

[Singwell]

All sounds very encouraging. I'm very pleased almost 5 months on from my 2nd.

[Hammerboy in reply to Singwell]

Yes I'm feeling quite relaxed about it now .I guess it depends on what they find once inside that will determine how long it takes .

How did you find the first few days , I was plagued by AF for a fortnight after my first cryo ablation .

[Singwell in reply to Hammerboy]

I've had 2 RF ablations. First under sedation didn't work so well because my pain response was high, even when out! I had 3 weeks of runs of AF, then it settled down to my more usual pattern of every 2 or 3 months, but less intense. After ablation 2 I was unlucky because I had a run a couple of days after (bent forward over a washbasin if you please!)followed by a BP hypo that send me into A and E. But that's one of my specialities- not likely to happen to you. My dose of Diltiazem subsequently reduced. I then had 2 more in the blanking period - one shortish one a week after the hospital visit, and one towards the end of the blanking period. None since. Almost 3 months now and I do feel differently than after the last one so fingers are crossed.

[Hammerboy in reply to Singwell]

That's excellent , great outcome so far for you 👍

[ETHEL103]

Yes a fantastic meeting with someone so much better than most of us have gotten ,myself included.No information till I was actually in the bed waiting to be taken down.Amazing for you.Good luck.

[Hammerboy in reply to ETHEL103]

Many thanks 😊

[bassets]

Good luck for your ablation

[Hammerboy in reply to bassets]

Many thanks 😊

[MikeyF]

That sounds like a good centre - I’ve made a note of it. Good hands from the sound of it. Wishing you all the best and do keep us posted.Had my first at Bordeaux 4 years ago. Some focal AT a year later (shortish bouts 140bpm for 5-20 mins - a common enough issue post PVI) but otherwise OK. Know I’ll need a touch up sooner or later.

[Hammerboy in reply to MikeyF]

Thanks , I'll post something in a week or so 👍

[AussieHeart]

I am staring down ablation and have no idea what kind I’ll get so your post is very helpful! Good luck

[Hammerboy in reply to AussieHeart]

You too👍