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“By treating patients with cryoablation right from the start, we see fewer people advancing to persistent, more life-threatening forms of atrial fibrillation,” says Dr. Jason Andrade, an associate professor of medicine at UBC and director of Heart Rhythm Services at Vancouver General Hospital.
Above Canadian study may be of interest, especially to those with paroxysmal afib.
Nothing new there to be honesst. We have been saying for years that early intervention by ablation stands the best chance of a good outcome. That said in some countries I worry that financial matters may cloud good judgment as not all patients will respond well to the procedure.
I am four months post cryoablation and saw my EP today for a check up. It has so far been a great success, no episodes and it has significantly improved the quality of my life. I am 47 and my AF journey is relatively new. Whats interesting is the difference in approach between the NHS and private. The NHS cardiologist I first saw simply sent me away with flecainide saying I wasn't a candidate for an ablation yet as meds would manage it. My condition then worsened so I went private for a second opinion. The approach was completely different. You are young and fit so ablation and stopping this early is the best approach was the immediate opinion. Is money dictating this difference? Maybe. I would certainly be an advocate for ablation after my experience so far. My EP concluded today by saying 'Ablation is not a cure, it may be for you, but I can't promise that. I hope you have many years without it. Happy Christmas.'
I have PAF, I have had one episode in the last 12 months, that quickly reverted to NSR with Flecanide taken as pill in pocket. I ask myself should I have an ablation sooner rather than later. I have been told by my EP that they would do one under the NHS if I requested it.
My feelings at the moment are that the episodes are so rare, that the risks of an ablation out way the potential benefits. Looking at the study, I was disappointed that there were no statistics to back up the benefits of the ablation, was there a 50% improvement, a 5%, we don’t know.
Bob, in particular I would welcome your thoughts, should I ‘stick or twist’ so to speak?
All of you, have a super Christmas and above everything a happy and healthy 2023 😀
Steve
Does anyone know the average age of the study participants? My cardiologist says in his experience, ablation outcomes are not so good in older patients.
absolutely, all the research I read when trying to find an option for my persistent afib showed early ablation for paroxysmal had the highest success rate. Obviously it’s a very personal decision for people but my heart sinks a little when I read people putting ablation off as their AF is not bad enough yet, as time passes their success rate from an ablation drops 
only my personal feelings but I really feel that my persistent AF has remained troublesome and difficult to treat as I was in persistent AF for 6 months before I was even cardioverted . I was a healthy 52 year old and told by the NHS cardiologist that I should ‘ live with it ‘ ( I couldn’t climb the stairs without stopping twice ce !!!) My QOL was crap !!
I had to go private before I was offered a cardioversion . It was 2 years before I got my first ablation and am now on w/l for no 3 .
I strongly feel that earlier intervention , by way of cardioversion for persistent AF and then ablation , is the way forward ,
even earlier in my view, catching afib when it’s paroxysmal gives higher success rates.
Good luck with your next steps Ossie 7
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Ossie, at your age you may be an ideal candidate for the minimaze procedure. Above are threads on the subject.
ossie is in the UK so very very expensive to have mini maze with dr wolf. It’s a great point though, where in the UK are you as you could ask for a referral to Mr Hunter, cardio thoracic surgeon in Sheffield. I was 5 years persistent. 4 failed cardioversions, 1 failed ablation and told I couldn’t hold NSR. A mini maze by Mr Hunter nearly 8 months ago and no afib since.
I’m in Nottingham ! My daughter went to uni at Sheffield so I would be so happy to go there . I am now in sinus rhythm again on dronedarone and bisoprolol after my 4 th cardioversion . God, it’s good !!!
I will most definitely not accept knocking my natural pacemaker out before ruling out the mini maze . I feel more hopeful since joining this group as I did think life as I know it was over . Yes, I know it won’t kill me , but when you have daily chest pain , feel totally wiped out and can’t exercise without feeling faint , it does feel like you will die !!! You’re story has inspired me , so Thankyou x
Amanda x
Hello , yes , this is most definitely on my mind . I will have ablation no 3 as this will treat the vein of Marshall at the back of the heart and will be more aggressive , so could well really help . After that the EP has already mentioned ‘ pace and ablate ‘ . At this stage I will refer to Mr Hunter in Sheffield gos a private consultation .
Thankyou for your post .
Cryoablation
