hi
so on this foreman I often hear that AF is for life and all treatment is for Quality of Life only etc .
But surely there must be some figures for those who have had successful ablations and AF never returns
why is treatment only referred to as for quality of life when ablations can’t put you in NSR .
Surely there are figures that show how many people who go into NSR through having ablations actually never get AF again
Thanks
matt
Matt, I don’t think its possibly to find statistics which provide the kind of definitive information you are looking for and even if you could, I’m not sure how it helps an individual because we are all different and AF affects us all differently. Some hospitals may produce statistics and some specialists may be able to offer information about their success rates but they can really only be guide.
I think it’s just better to accept that we are where we are. An ablation offers an opportunity for AF patients to help control their symptoms. Here in the UK, they are generally only offered on the NHS if a consultant believes there is a reasonable chance that it will help control a patient’s symptoms. Sadly, because of the nature of the beast, there can be no guarantees but as is said so many times, hardly anybody posts saying they wished they had never had their ablation(s). The majority who have had successfully ablations bu**er off and just get on with there lives and why shouldn’t they.
Like many others before you, you are looking for Utopia and in our world, I just don’t think it exists…….
Ps, it’s good to hear that everything’s going well 👍
Regrettably not. That would require a mega study and would not take into account the numerous variables - over what time period, experience of team, individuals’ circumstances - age, length of time in AF, fitness, other conditions etc, tech used, lifestyles etc.
Stats are only useful to epidemiologists and medical audit in my opinion and the old adage - there are lies, dammed lies and statistics applies when you apply stats to the individual. I was told I would have a 99% chance of never having AF again. AF was back within months. 2nd ablation - lasted 3 years before AF returned.
That info is only going to be available once a sufficient number of ablatees have died so as the procedure has only become relatively common recently you will have to wait a long time, sorry ☺️
I was told it had a 70% chance of being successful. Over two years on, it has been for me.
This forum nominally has over 26,000 members. The ones who have actually left are still on the books so maybe they should be weeded out to give a more accurate figure.
Just seems mad that once you have AF regardless of successful treatment we are psychologically living on an edge everyday on if it’s going to return today or not . And yet stress is supposed to be a trigger .
It’s a Vicious cycle
You’ve only just had your ablation so everything to do with it is a bit raw at the moment. Almost every treatment for every ailment doesn’t come with a guarantee, in time we get used to it and just enjoy the good times and so will you 😉
I feel that to avoid AF returning it is important to avoid trying to push yourself in any way. That means not giving your heart a reason to initiate any rogue signals.
An ablation can get rid of current extra beats but doesn't prevent future ones developing.
It sounds like the underlying concern for you is "what if it comes back?" Totally understandable. I remember being MORE anxious about 3 months after my first ablation- which btw wasn't fully successful due to my pain response to the procedure. I was sedated only. Once I'd realised I wasn't gping to get better, even though there were noticeable improvements, I relaxed about it. And got a but better still. So FlapJack gives good advice - enjoy the good times. Look after yourself obviously - especially as it's early days - and don't be too despondent if you do get an out rest of AF. Most people are less symptomatic post ablation and fund their episodes are more bearable and last a shorter time. And it's not uncommon to need a top up. I had mine in March and things are noticeably different.
Hi Singwell
I had my 1st ablation in March which failed from day 2 ( in my opinion ) this was my second / top up ablation .
And your right whilst I’ve been in NSR since the procedure it’s the what if that I can see as being the mental issue to overcome
Stopping oneself from becoming paranoid re it coming back etc
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