It is now 48 hours since my ablation and I thought that others might like to know something of my experience. In the last 11 months I have had my gall bladder removed, a mastectomy and 2 cardioversions but this was the procedure that I was far most worried about. After 3 cardioversions, I have been in persistent AF since mid July. I couldn't tolerate any of the medications available, so it was felt that an urgent ablation was the only treatment.
I arrive at hospital at 10.30 as instructed but told no bed and had to wait in corridor for 1.5 hours. Thankfully my husband was with me. Apparently, the ward used for ablations, cardioversions and angiograms has a policy of only having mixed sex gowned patients there for the minimum time necessary and it was all men there. I was eventually shown into a very pleasant room with lots of light and very comfortable leather recliners. All the patients except me seemed to be having pace maker batteries changed. I spent a couple of hours reading and declining lunch or a drink.
Around 2.15, I was taken to the cath lab ward, the only female in a 9 bed ward. I was given 2 gowns and told to get changed in the loo. Then a visit from the anaesthetist, signed the consent form and into the lab. I was covered in stickers which were then attached to wires, given oxygen over my face and that was the last that I knew about it. Three hours later, I woke up in the ward.
I was required to lie flat on my back for 6 hours, meaning that I couldn't be discharged until 11. The cath lab ward was due to close at 7.30, so I was transferred to a bed and taken to the coronary care unit. There, I was lucky enough to have my own room but I wasn't monitored. At 11, I was asked if I wanted to be discharged or stay the night but I would have to leave at 8 the next morning as they required the bed. I rang my husband then opted for the latter.
At 6.30 the next morning, the stitch was removed from my groin, I was given breakfast (the first food in 36 hours) and discharged. I was very tired and went home to bed. My groin was very sore and I had a sore throat.
Two days later, I'm still tired but no pain. I have had 3 bouts of migraine auras, one on the evening of the procedure and the other 2 first thing in the morning. I didn't speak to the consultant after my procedure but my discharge letter states that 4 areas were isolated (LSPV, LIPV, RSPV, RIPV). I was then given a cardioversion and have been in sinus since then and heart rate is my normal 62.
So, all in all not as bad as anticipated. I would have liked to know more about the procedure. I was told to take it easy for a week but I'd also like to know when I can expect to have some energy back and what likelihood there is of AF returning.
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Norfolk_spaniel
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Pleased that you are feeling well and back in NSR! I have to say though that you were not looked after terribly well if you hadnt been offered food for 36 hours!!
I assume that that this was a cryoablation as you experienced the migraine aura ?
Ive had 4 RF ablations, each experience a little different but my last one 14 months ago the best one, felt very well looked after .
You should take it easy for the first week or two and dont plan anything too strenuous. We all cope differently but i didnt find recovery a big deal. As to the chances of AF returning....thats the big question. Keep yourself as healthy as possible, try to lose excess weight if necessary , get plenty of sleep and trust to luck ! Alot will depend on the length of your AF history as well.
So glad that it all went smoothly for you. I’m on a waiting list, and haven’t had information handed out either. The helpsheets on the AF association website are really useful though, so I will be re-reading those!
I believe mine will be sedation rather than general anaesthesia, though hoping I am sufficiently ‘out of it’ to cope!
hi to you. I found the help sheets on this wonderful site helped me so much prior to the Ablation and continue to reassure me after it. I had local anaesthetic in the groin, bit of a scratch felt with initial injection and lots of pressure following but all ok. I had conscious sedation and remember very little of the procedure. The anaesthetist was lovely and reassured me she would keep me nice and comfy, which she did.
Thank you, they really are helpful! I’m going to participate in a study which will make the ablation a bit longer, so it’s good to hear that you weren’t too aware!
The study sounds interesting. I was Not aware, no pain during Ablation, caring Cath Lab staff to reassure me and nice cup of tea and a sandwich on my return to the Ward.
I am undecided down for General anaesthetic but they said being awake recovery is a lot better. Mine due in the next couple of months but I’m very anxious already as was bad last time I had an operation with GA.
I was really nervous as i have had awful nausea after every anaesthetic. This time, i used a scopoderm patch which i use for travel sickness and was prescribed by my GP. I also discussed the nausea with the anaesthetist and he had me down as intolerant to opioids. He also said he would put plenty of anti nausea medication in the mix. The first thing i said when i came to was "i don't feel sick". It was so brilliant to not have the sickness.
Patch good to know. I had severe nausea post ablation procedure and my BP at 160 plummeted to 60/45. I spent two nights in ICU being administered noradrenaline. But I don’t think I’ll sign up for another ablation. Mine was cryo and they decided to knock me out fully.
hi to you. I did not have the option of GA as my EP prefers to do Ablations for Atrial Flutter with conscious sedation and LA as recovery is so much quicker for the patient. Ablation for Atrial Flutter is an easier op for the EP to do and I was told if my Atrial Flutter flipped to Atrial Fibrillation And I needed a follow-up Ablation this would be done under a GA. I was very anxious prior to my procedure as worried I would not be able to lay still for 2-3 hrs as I suffer with lung disease and cough. I was reassured by the anaesthetist that the Local anaesthetist would sort out the groin entry point for the catheters and the conscious sedation would keep me relaxed and comfy with the likelihood that I would know little about what happened during the Ablation. This was indeed the case. I have had GA many times but prefer LA as my diseased lungs play up after GA so although I was anxious, for me conscious sedation suited me better. The Cath Lab staff were wonderful and we’re quick to reassure me that it was normal to be scared but they would keep me pain free and relaxed. Which they did. Is the choice yours whether it’s sedation or GA? Perhaps you need to discuss this further with your EP to reach a decision on way forward? Sending you a hug and I wish you well with your Ablation.
thank you, yes at the moment it’s my decision re GA or LA. I’ve just had another 4 days in AF no energy really fatigued it comes and goes. It was worst when I had covid and I’ve just had the jab and it’s set it off again. I’m hoping it starts calming down again. It really helps to hear about your experience
goodness so much going on with your health. I hope things calm down for you very soon. The problem is the more anxious you get the more AF will play up. Sending you a virtual hug x
I’m pleased all went well. Although your experience prior to Ablation sounds a little stressful. I had my Ablation 9 days ago for Atrial flutter, EP also did mapping of my heart. Procedure was done with local anaesthetic and sedation. I was in and out same day as bed needed. The whole day went like clockwork so I was extremely lucky. I had chat with my EP prior to Ablation and when I was back on the Ward. I have follow up telephone chat with him in New Year and have contact tele numbers for specialist arrhythmia nurses if I have queries.
On day 9 I’m doing ok, but get tired very quickly and keep falling asleep on the sofa. I’ve had etopics (I think??) just a few minutes for short spells since my Ablation if I try and stretch myself too much so have decided to go with the tiredness and just rest as much as possible. Before my Ablation I suffered with lots of etopics, flutter and occasional tachycardia. I had difficulty tolerating meds. I’ve been told approx 8 weeks I will know if the procedure has been successful. I have been given Flecainide 50mg twice daily to start if the palpitations get troublesome. There is no guarantee unfortunately that the first ablation will sort the arrhythmia out.
Your procedure sounds more complicated than the one I had. Hopefully hospital gave you detailed discharge sheet explaining what the EP had actually done with additional info on what to expect in the days after the Ablation? Plus contact details of nurses who can reassure you if you have queries.
I wish you well with your recovery and all I can tell you is rest to let your heart heal.
Thanks for the reply. I was given no information on what was done, don't even know if it was heat or cryo and no information on what to expect in the days after the op. I do have contact numbers and follow up appointment in3 months.
I would make use of your contact numbers. I rang my arrhythmia nurse on day 3 as I had a medication query and she was able to bring my notes up on her screen so was able to talk thro what my EP had done during the Ablation which was reassuring. Especially as the discharge notes had lots of medical jargon. Be kind to yourself and rest up.
Hi , im 8 weeks post ablation at Norfolk and Norwich under Dr Till .I was under GA for 3 hours so I inagine like me you had an RF ablation.
It sounds like all your 4 pulmonary veins were ablated as this is the most common site for AF to occur .
I had one minor AF episode after 2 weeks which lasted for just over an hour but nothing since other than a few ectopics and my review is in mid November .
Like you I was given no information before leaving the hospital about what had been done even though during my 6 hour wait to be discharged I was told on 3 occassions the EP would be coming to see me before I left .
Other than that my experience was very straightforward and comfortable and I was treated well .
Good luck with your recovery , take it slow and listen to your body and you'll reap the benefit .
I've been back in the gym for a week now, gently working back up to fitness and no ill effects .The tiredness goes after a few weeks but you wont have the stamina for some time .
Thanks for the reply. Dr Till at the NNUH also did mine. It was after 5 when i came out of the lab so i guess it was the end of the day for the doctors.
Possibly but I still think its professional to explain the procedure before leaving . Most of us have waited a long time for the op and would like some reassurance that all went well or not . We aren't lab rats after all .
In sympathy sending you a virtual hug as had similar experience, spent six hours in the hallway as got bumped for a pacemaker patient. I was left unattended for most of the time being asked once if I wanted a warm blanket. I was freezing. I agreed to be knocked out as I was exhausted. No food for 30 hours though could have been 36. Severe crushing chest pain, noise sensitivity on waking up in ICU. Nausea kicked in and when they got me up to pee my BP plummeted to 60/45. I was put in ICU post procedure as my BP skyrocketed to over 160. The massive drop had them running around. I thought I was dying. Another night in ICU and packed off home being told I’m an “anigma”as BP bounced back day 2 and like you with NO meds information! I’ll NEVER have another ablation if I can have any say. Bruising has taken out all my right thigh and still out of breathe, high HR, fatigue, constipation, nausea. I was better BEFORE this procedure. They’ll look back one day and say “how barbaric”.
I've had 3 RF ablations and have to say that I felt differently as I recovered from each one. So I can only say to you that there is no standard way to feel. Generally, you tire very quickly for the first week. So if you walk anywhere, you may find that fine, but walking back too tiring. My first ablation took over two to three weeks for recovery, second took months to recuperate and after the third I felt instantly better.
That is not good. Coughing is very tiring and does not allow you to rest properly but it does clear the lungs. pneumonia can be very painful. I presume you are sleeping in a raised position with your back supported. XXX
hello to you. I suffer with lung disease and put vic or similar on the soles of my feet then socks at night to stop the coughing. It works. Wish you speedy recovery. X
never heard of Vic on soles of feet for a cough. Will try it - if I remember - next time I have a cough. Don’t have jeanie’s problem with hot feet cos I wear bed socks a lot of the time.
thanks for posting your experience. I’ve been waiting for over 6 months now for mine, post a triple bypass , and we are currently in Norfolk on holiday!
HI, so glad it has gone well. I picked up on your mastectomy, I am also a breast cancer patient. I started with tachycardia after my mastectomy then full blown AF after 9 hour breast reconstruction. My oncologist says it is the chemotherapy and herceptin drugs that caused AF and my cardiologist says my age. Looking on line then is definitely and increased incidence of AF after chemo, targeted therapy and hormone suppressants. Cancer is just the gift that keeps on giving but I am 5 years disease free and mine was very aggressive so I am grateful to still be here, without all the drugs my 5 year survival according to my consultant was 38%. I do hope your ablation is successful and you are soon back to good health x
I’m glad you got through the procedure with little complication. Best of wishes for a smooth recovery.
I have one question. If there were 4 areas isolated and ablated, why did you need three cardioversion? I would think that if the area causing the problem were isolated and ablated, your heart would convert back as soon as the area was ablated. I don’t get it. Isn’t that the whole reason for ablation?
I had cardioversions in 2011, December 2021 and June 2022. I went into afib mid July and was told that another one would not hold, hence the ablation. After the 4 areas were ablated, i was then given an internal cardioversion. Hope that is clearer.
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