Epicardial Ablation

[Kernowafibber]

As you will see from my previous posts I have had two ablations for AF, both unsuccessful. I have been offered Amiodarone, Pacemaker or Epicardial Ablation.

Is there anyone out there who can share experience of Epicardial Ablation?

Thanks

[Dodie117]

I’m surprised and sorry you haven’t had a reply. I have not had epicardial ablation but understand it’s scarring the outside of the heart as opposed to the inside with other ablations. I had a successful ablation in 2013. Hope someone can help. Good luck with the decision making. 👍

[Buffafly]

I have not heard of an epicardial ablation - I wonder if we know it by a different name? It sounds similar to mini maze?

[johnMiosh]

Epicardial means external, so it could be keyhole surgery through the chest wall. However they can't reach the rear of the heart to complete the mini-maze this way so usually there is a catheter ablation at the same time or separately. As you have had two ablations already, either they feel they do not need the rear scarring, or quite likely, it will be open chest surgery. You would need to clarify this to make an informed decision.

[ozziebob]

Sorry no ablations myself, but I found this Mayo Clinic article that mentions it ...

mayoclinic.org/tests-proced...

I hope I'm not being patronising in offering this Google found link. Not my intention at all.

bob

[robboian]

hi. yes I had an epicardial ablation about 5 years ago. And yes, it was a transthoracic keyhole approach. This followed 3 catheter ablations that had not held my AF. The surgery was successful in holding my AF for a couple of years. I then experienced a combined AF and atrial flutter episode. This resulted in a right side ablation for the flutter and a ''tidy up' of the left side. Two years on and I'm good. Still take flecanide and am reluctant to go off these as I'm anxious about what can be done if the AF reemerges.

One benefit of the epicardial approach is that the Atrial Apical Sac can be clipped off. This largely removes the risk of AF induced stroke.

Hope this helps. I am in Melbourne.

[MummyLuv]

hello, I had epicardial (mini maze via keyhole). This is a method where a surgeon scars the outside of the heart. EPs are also now doing epicardial ablations now. It’s a very generic term which is why I expect few answers. Worth asking how the proposed treatment will be done and by who. SophieBella is exploring epicardial via EP as she has been offered this too. There are a few of us had it done my a cardiothorasic surgeon.

[SophieBella in reply to MummyLuv]

Hi, yes I've explored the mini maze option, however, after speaking to a surgeon he decided he could not perform it as I have previous scar tissue from a hole in the heart surgery agree 7. However my EP agreed to perform an epicardial ablation - if possible. After a further 2 recent cardioversions and another hospital visit, I am now to have this done on 11th December. Although whether he will be able to get through the scar tissue is unknown. Will see!

[MummyLuv in reply to SophieBella]

Exciting, best of luck for the 11th!