I’d like some reassurance and advice please. This morning I had my pre admission appointment. I have been given November 7th as my date for an ablation. I had asked for it to be under general anaesthetic, however it is down as a local anaesthetic. I can go ahead on 7th or I can wait until the 17th for a GA. Both would be with my EP consultant Dr Arujuna.
I really don’t want to wait any longer - I’m psyched up and various arrangements have been made. But I’m concerned about having it under a local. I’m a fidget at the best of times and I have a tickly cough.
I’d really appreciate your thoughts - especially if you have had an ablation under local anaesthetic. I have until tomorrow to make my mind up.
Thank you! 😊
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Leggylady
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I think you mean sedation rather than local anaesthetic although of course you will have such for the insertion of the sheath. Many people have sedation with no problems and remember that you can ask for more if you feel any discomfort.
For my part, none of my ablations have been other than GA and whilst it is obvious that recovery is slightly more difficult it is nice to "not be there".
I agree with Bob I prefer not to be there so to speak. There are also various sedations. I was unaware of that until Friday when I had my cardioversion. My nurse/anesthesiologist told me he was going to use deep sedation. I saw the list and it is just before general. I was unaware of anything. The last thing I remember was having the thing to bite on and then waking up. I have had the local end sedation with my catheterization and again I did not feel anything I was awake. I was also extremely relaxed lol. They don’t want you moving about so I believe you will be very much unaware of things. Also I having have trouble with hiccups for over a month now no idea why. I mentioned this to the anesthesiologist and he was not concerned I don’t remember exactly what he told me but I was also having a tube etc. down my throat and I believe there was some thing about that to make having the hiccups not possible
You are going to do great. Going forward I now know the various stages of sedation. As the others also mentioned recovery was great. Within a short time I was able to sit up and get dressed. I was not foggy headed or anything and I felt such a joy I can’t explain it. Lol Of course I believe part of it was probably the fairy juice you heard about lol they should put that in the water so everyone could feel happy like I did
Ive had 4 ablations , one under GA and the other 3 under local , most recently 15 months ago.
I favour local any day ! You should be well sedated or sedated enough to be comfortable at any rate. If you are not then let them know ! The sedative should be sufficient to stop you fidgeting ! Your recovery is much quicker and simpler after a local and of course it is safer!Y
You should be away with the fairies most of the time. Go for it ! Good luck
I recently had ablation and 3D mapping under local and conscious sedation. I have lung disease and cough and was worried about this. All went well, I knew little about the procedure and I was nice and comfy on the bed surrounded by lovely nurses and anaesthetist who reassured me all would be well. She was correct. Whole thing took approx 3 hrs. I had to lay flat after procedure but I just rested and chilled during this time. Then it was time for a sandwich and nice cup of tea. I was home same day.
Prior to the Ablation I put a post on this wonderful site explaining my anxiety issues re having it done and my concerns about my Consultant only doing Ablations with local anaesthetic . I had lots of lovely replies from people who had already had an Ablation giving me the reassurance I needed. So I put my big girls pants on and decided I was lucky to have been offered the procedure , so it would be rude to refuse.😀
The sedation worked so well that I was not aware of anything really, I was “with the fairies” as they say. I cough a lot most mornings and mentioned to the anaesthetist my concerns before the procedure started. She just reassured me that it would not be a problem and it wasn’t. All went well and I’m so pleased I’ve had it done.
Make it absolutely clear if you need more sedation and they will top you up. I was quite aware, but comfortable. At one point I had to ask for more but,soon sorted out.
All very professional and caring.
Best thing is,no more flutter ever,as he said he was 100% confident. No AF since either ,except one occasion shortly after. June 2022, so hang on in there, dont worry and think of good times ahead.
yes that's right on the morning of the ablation I said to the surgeon I have this irritating cough will that affect anything you do?
I had visions of coughing just when he had got to a delicate bit , he reassured me it wouldn't be a problem and it wasnt
I was fine! It is very sedating and I had a nurse holding my hand and the table was designed to keep me in place. Tell them your every concern when you go. They are used to us having worries and idiosyncrasies. Good luck!
A PVI cryoablation for Afib and an RF ablation for Aflutter, both with sedation, and both home the same. day. The groin was a local and I never felt anything until after the procedure with either. In fact on the first one I did not even know they had started until was told the catheter was in place!
had my ablation under sedation in June it was a very comfortable uncomplicated experience. You are aware of things going on but not consciously. Once done you are alert much more quickly than a GA. It was supposed to be an overnight stay but I was home the same evening. Sorted my AF and I would recommend to anyone.
2 ablations under sedation for Flutter. Pretty much out of it for both. The first however I could feel the burning in my heart and this was quite uncomfortable as I became conscious, I told the EP and they topped up the sedation and I drifted off again. I should probably have told them sooner and they would have topped up sooner. They will make sure you are comfortable. You’ll be fine. Both procedures were in the afternoon so kept in overnight and discharged following morning.
RF ablation under sedation 4 years ago, fell asleep in the end woke up on the ward, mine was late in the day ablation so stayed overnight, been AF free ever since
I had mine a year ago under sedation and although I was vey nervous, It went well. I woke up at one point and was able to watch as they sorted out the inside of my heart - amazing! Good luck and make sure you rest afterwards
Ive had cryoablation and RF ablation under sedation. I was failry alert throughout but not in any pain and could have asked for more if needed. I was a bit worried about lying still for so long but it wasn't an issue at all. Body was completely relaxed. It's a strange experience, somewhat uncomfortable at points, but not painful. Youll be fine but also 10 days is not long to wait. Do what feels best for you.
Thank you Fullofheart. I too have concerns about lying still for so long - I have back problems, but I’ve mentioned it to the AF nurse and I’m positive I won’t be the first person in that situation. I hope you stay well.
My brother had his pacemaker/defib machine under local/sedation. Recovery is quicker and its safer 😊 Good luck 👍 its being replaced soon and thats being done the same way I understand.
I had my pre op phone call yesterday as I am having mine done on the 12th November, I am having GA my consultant said that’s the way he likes to do them so I am booked to stay in the hospital over night so I suppose all consultants are different although I had told him that I didn’t want to be sedated as it takes me ages to go to sleep. I am now starting to get worried about it and wondering if I have made the right decision , your a week before me so good luck and hope it goes well.
i be had both sedation and general. I was out on both occassions, at least with sedation the recovery is quicker. Personally I wouldn't worry which is used. Trust in the surgeon, they know what they are doing good luck
I had an ablation with sedation but I’m totally convinced I had the barest minimum sedation possible. It wasn’t a pleasant experience and the incision in my groin felt liked I’d been stabbed. The consultant had no bedside manner whatsoever and I no longer see him. I’ve since had an angiogram with sedation - different consultant and a much better experience. I’d say as long as you have confidence in your consultant and his team - and be prepared to tell them you want as much sedation as possible, get it done rather than waiting any longer. You’ll be fine. Good luck!
let us know how it goes. After reading the replies you’ve had I’m even more convinced I had a really bad experience - it sounds as if I shouldn’t really have felt anything. Lesson learned!
it’s totally up to you, but my first ablation was sedation. I then went on to have another two ablations and I insisted these were done under general.!!!!!
Some people don’t mind sedation but it certainly didn’t agree with me.
had all mine under local but if you really are a fidget it will make it more difficult for the person doing it as tend to put instruments on your legs.You can have sedation which is good apparently which having had 5 over a period of time I am requesting if I ever have to have another.you don’t get to see what is happening however.Hope all goes well.
not wishing to alarm/worry but I had sedation twice and have demanded and been agreed GA in November. I have a new consultant this time who agreed he doesn’t want someone jumping around durning the procedure - hope all goes well for you
My first ablation with sedation took 3 hours and that was fine. If I'd only had that one I would be saying sedation is fine.
My second with sedation took 6 hours and to be honest that length of time affected me greatly. My EP kept apologising and afterwards I felt as though I had PTSD. If you think about it an ablation is quite barbaric. You have to lie there while they thread a wire up from your groin to the heart. No, I'm best to be totally out of it.
My third ablation was with a GA (5hrs) and I felt far better afterwards, my recovery was quicker too. So I'm going to say the opposite to most here and say wait and have the GA.
Hi I had an ablation yesterday Wednesday. I arrived at the hospital at 8 00 am and ultimately left the hospital at 14 45. It was carried out with a local injection and conscious sedation. I did have some pain but when I Informed the nurses, they gave me more sedation. The actual time was about two hours in the lab . I was a bit tired and sore yesterday and last night. Today feeling much better and looking forwards to a good recovery.
I like you, read all the feedback from the wonderful people on this forum. It helped me as I hope my comment s will support you.
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