has anyone had the Pulsed Field ablation? i'm on the list with Dr. Natale. Looking for more information directly from someone who's had it or is more in the loop vs wikipedia. It a long way to travel if not substantially better than RF
72 with persistent asymptomatic Afib on no meds but Eliquis
Nothing this side (UK) of the pond.
I had it May 25th at the Cleveland Clinic. I started with persistent AFIB March 5th, and was in AFIB 24 X 7. I was part of the Affera Clinical Trial, and my doctor did the cardioablation using PFA for the posterior wall. They still used RF for the pulmonary veins. Both were done using the Affera Sphere 9 mapping system, which can perform switch between either technology. Pretty amazing.
I have had ZERO AFIB issues after the ablation, and just had my 90 day follow up with my doctor this week at the Cleveland Clinic. Before meeting with the doctor, they did an updated Echo, an EKG, and a CT scan. My doctor said all of that looked great, as did my self-reported EKGs they had me do weekly over the last 3 months. And best of all, he said because of no signs of AFIB, and because my CHADS VASC score is a 1, I could stop Eliquis.
I'm ecstatic I was in the trial for PFA, and highly recommend you do the same if you're lucky enough to get in the trial. That said, you aren't guaranteed to get PFA - the trial is set up such that you have a 50-50 chance of them using it because it is a research trial and they are comparing two sets of results. They didn't officially tell me which I received, but I had a way of finding out.
Best of luck!
Than you for taking the time to reply. I had heard the same. Evidently the original trials are over, so i was told. now if you get accepted you're 100% in.So happy for you. Best for you continued good fortune
Thanks. The Affera clinical trial is not over, it's continuing, and the status shows they are still recruiting. You can see it here: clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...
Obviously true so i don't know why i was told differently. i have it in my head that if i cannot get the PFA i'll just wait till i'm assured of have it and not at a 50-50! Somehow i feel a lot calmer with the new procedure
I would not wait. The longer you stay in AFIB, the more it progresses. That's where the phrase AFIB begets AFIB comes in.
Suggest you research that, you might start with this: draseemdesai.com/afib-beget....
Thank You - i will have a look-see
I almost did the trial with Dr Natale. He is an outstanding doctor, so even if you don’t get the PFA you will receive a great RF ablation. One thing that may have disqualified me from the trial was I needed to take a heart rhythm drug for I think it was two weeks, to make sure a rhythm drug would not put me in NSR. I’ve never been able to handle a rhythm drug since I find them intolerable. But the main reason I did not do the trial was because I would need to wait a year before I did a Watchman implant. My EP who recommended me for the trial thought it would only be a three month waiting period. He agreed that a year was a long time to wait for the Watchman with my history of stroke. I REALLY wish I could have done the trial though! They will tell you after a year which procedure you received. Hope it works out for you!
Thank You for your reply - Always appreciated
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