Ablations Failures

[dmille3]

2 ablations failed and doctor wants to do a third one - I am hesitant. Has anyone faced a similar situation. The doctor suggested staying on Diltiazem 240mg which is heart rhythm medication.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks



[CDreamer]

I had 2 ablations, after about 3 years AF returned. By that time I couldn’t tolerate any of the drugs and only choice was Amiodarone or Pace and Ablate so had Pacemaker - which worked for me.

Asking others about their experiences of taking drugs I don’t think helps because what works for one, is not helpful to another.

I’m trying to put myself in your position but lacking enough information so assuming you haven’t tried Calcium Channel Blockers before, you don’t want another ablation what can you possibly lose by seeing if they might work for you?

Couple of questions - have you tried Magnesium supplements?

How long did the ablations hold off the AF for?

How symptomatic are you?

[BobD Volunteer]

I had three before my AF finally went.

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, I was in the exact same situation as you and then suddenly offered a third ablation. My youngest daughter was furious with me for saying yes to it, but it went ahead and was my most successful ablation and I've not had a very high heart rate since. Still have AF though.

[dmille3 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi, Jeanjeannie50,

Thanks for replying back. Well, the doctor is saying that nothing is saying that the third ablation will even work so it is up to. I'm on Diltiazem240mg which is a calcium blocker. The Metoprolol beta blocker made me so sick and can't tolerate it. I am praying for God to direct my path.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to dmille3]

Goodness you're saying your EP doesn't know if a third ablation will help? That certainly wouldn't spur you on to have another one.

By the time I had my third one my EP and his Registrar had designed a piece of equipment to put outside my heart to see where the rogue pulses were coming in. Although I had two bouts of tachycardia in the weeks that followed and needed to go back on medication, I felt so much better than I had for years and my heart rate has never gone up super high since.

Have you made all the diet changes and cut out all foods containing artificial additives, caffeine and alcohol?

Jean

[dmille3]

Jean, EP was basically being honest in stating that he can't guarantee the third ablation will work, which really keeps me from having the third one.

What medication did they put you on after ablation?

I am making some diet changes and trying to exercise.

dm

[Tennisking in reply to dmille3]

I was down for a 3rd, but decided to put it on hold after telephone consult with EP. First ablation had 80% chance of success, 2nd ablation 90% chance of success, a 3rd would drop to only 50%🤷‍♂️

[Jajarunner]

i had three very close together, within 20 months. First one lasted 9 months, second, five , months and the third just three months. My EP wanted to a fourth but I refused so now on Dronedarone. Each ablation was taking me six months to get over so I just couldn't face it again so soon.

[4Pip]

I had one last November and it was difficult bi was I’ll for 6 months. Had a cardioversion in Zjune which put me into every sort of rhythm then July I had second ablation which didn’t work and within 7 weeks he said through the mapping there was one spot left to ablate so September I had my third. 5 weeks in I feel like a human being again. So far so good. Good luck with whatever you choose

[MummyLuv]

are you in persistent afib or are you able to convert to sinus rhythm with the ablation/cardioversion. If you are persistent then it’s worth looking into mini maze/convergent procedures.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Diltiazem in NZ passed by our Medsafe is no longer available.

Diltiazem 120, 180, 240, 360mgs alternative is now made by aCCORD and is still not medsafe.

Back when te product changed I shold have signed a formal consent. form but no one said or explained that under act 29 was I able to have it.

Nothing like that I only foud out when in Pharmac I was findingwhether any dosage less 120mg is available.

A powerful drug my uncontrolled H/R was taken down 105bpm after 2 hours of taking the 180mg dose.

I am settled on the 120mg dose with 2.5mg Bisoprolol.

But yesterday te Bisoprolol was stopped as BP getting too low.

I cannot have an ablation.

cheri JOY. 73 (NZ)

[FarmerJac]

I had 3 ablations in 3 years, been clear of AF since the third 8 months ago. It has made a huge improvement in life. Go for it if you can, and good luck.

[Lakehouse1]

I have been following this website for many years and it is so helpful and I’m so thankful for all I’ve learned here! I was diagnosed over 12 years ago. I am in the US and had the Wolf Mini-Maze on Monday, I learned about it on this website. Dr. Wolf works on the exterior of the heart, not the interior, as the ablations are done, and closes off the left appendage, so blood thinners are no longer necessary. I had an ablation over 4 & 1/2 years ago and since it didn’t last long, I did not want to go through that again…. not to mention all the drugs I was taking. I’m off of blood thinners and the others he put me on after surgery are for 14 days, 30 days and 90 days, then I should be off of everything. My heart has been steady since the procedure, and I pray it lasts! If you are not in the states, I would recommend you follow MummyLuv’s advice and look into the procedure her doctor did. I believe I’ve read her procedure is similar to Dr. Wolf’s and has been successful. Good look with whatever you decide!

[Elli86]

ablation is always a risk. I had my first and probably my last in august 2021. Haven’t had af since February but I’ve had a whole raft of other issues related to the operation that I would say have been worse than af. Very little help from doctors. Not been back to work since operation. Incredibly frustrating to say the least. Ablation should be a last line of defence in my opinion. Exhaust all other options first. An ablation is a permanent fix for what could be a temporary issue.

[Jetcat]

Iv had 3 ablations. Was doing ok for a good while but starting to get little blips.!!!!

[Pippybird]

Speaking for husband here. He had first ablation 2/2020 after fifteen years of a fib. Second one came two weeks later with a new doctor for a flutters. Then came the pneumonia, a total knee replacement and back surgery fall of 2020. The flutters came back early last summer. Our savior doctor retired, and husband chose third ablation in Vanderbilt at Nashville with a new doctor there. Everything about the third ablation was so much better. It has now been a month, and he is steady at pulse 60, and happily golfing. Fingers crossed, I love this forum. It saved my sanity.