Two weeks post ablation

[Declin]

While I was waiting for a Cryoablation I gained a lot of help and insight from reading other people’s first-hand experiences. So, having had my ablation two weeks ago this is my experience to date.

I had been in persistent A.F. for six months prior to my Cryoablation, which had been explained was intended to isolate the four Pulmonary veins.

The procedure was carried out under conscious sedation – (though I didn’t feel particularly sedated).

After two veins had been successfully ablated there was some injury caused to one of the phrenic nerves which caused the procedure to be suspended. I was cardioverted into NSR, and returned to the ward. There, the E.P. had a nice chat with me and explained that I was relisted for a 3D AF ablation once the nerve has a chance to settle down. (Apparently this is less likely to affect the nerve than another cryoablation)

For the first 11 days post procedure I spent most of the time in NSR with just three or four relapses into A.F. Though, I have now been in A.F. for the past four days so it looks persistent again. My groin and chest only had minor discomfort which settled down quite quickly, and the only negative impact is a slight increase in breathlessness – probably attributable to the injury to the nerve, which should settle down soon.

There are many positives for me from the experience.

I have learned that aside from the A.F. issue my heart is in good condition. (Extremely fortunate compared to some on here!)

Despite being only partially ablated my heart still spent quite a while in NSR and was able to convert itself from A.F. into NSR on a few occasions. This bodes well for the future.

It felt so good being in NSR while it lasted.

I have a great deal of confidence in the people treating me & looking forward to getting the ablation completed.

Wishing everyone the best health possible, Den

[Hidden]

Good Afternoon Den,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, as you say it can be so helpful for others thinking about, or coming up to the procedure.

Wishing you well!

[Declin in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Katrina👍

[BobD Volunteer]

Not a negative post at all and very useful.

[Declin in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob👍

[wilsond]

Best wishes for the last bit to be done. Always helpful to read all the experiences of the Crazy Heart members!

[Declin in reply to wilsond]

Thanks Wilsond - Crazy heart sums our situation up nicely🙂

[Gumbie_Cat]

it’s really useful to see all the differing results following ablations. Sometimes things split into totally ‘for or against’. I think that a lot of us are following that middle path, where the first ablation might feel like a fail, but are still keen to get this thing sorted. (Although I know that it is never completely ‘cured’.)

I luckily avoided the phrenic nerve issue. Had been in continuous AFib for two months before the procedure, and unfortunately went back into it within 48 hours.

All I know right now is that I’ve been listed for a cardioversion. Hoping to find out more at my 3 month check, in 4 weeks time. A matter of seeing what’s next. I also need to count my blessings a bit - although my heart isn’t behaving itself, I can still get out for walks, even if my legs object to hills!

The very best of luck with your next ablation - I will definitely go for another if it is offered. Not sure how many in the long run, with the recovery each time - but I shall go on the advice of my EP.

[Declin]

Thanks Gumbie_Cat.

I think I may have been oddly lucky to have had an incomplete ablation as they have already committed to a 2nd in order to complete the initial procedure. (Things seldom work out as planned - but they do always work out!)

Sorry that your NSR only lasted 48hrs, it must have been very disappointing to go straight back into persistent A.fib. Hopefully your cardioversion will work well for you and hopefully your 3 month check up will give you positive news.

Fingers crossed for you🙂

Best wishes,

Den

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Declin]

Thanks Den! Sometimes life has some lucky turns like that. Hope it means that you don’t have to wait too long.

[Elizka]

Thank you for sharing! did you take mediation prior to ablation?

[Declin in reply to Elizka]

Hi Elizka. Yes, I have been on Bisoprolol and Apixiban since diagnosis.Immediately before the ablation - I had to take my last dose of Apixiban by 6pm the evening before and my last dose of Bisoprolol 6am on the day.

All the best, Den

[LPE44 in reply to Elizka]

You doctor will likely put you on a blood thinner (if they haven't already). The recommend is four weeks prior to the ablation. Mine was twice a day (apixiban) but I was so used to my once a day pill regime that I completely neglected to read the bottle! they were still able to do the procedure but added a TEE to the mix, (it's a device that goes down your throat and checks to make sure there isn't a clot in the appendage of the heart.

I am still on diltiazem - 120mg ER but was on 240mg before. It slows the heart rate down. If you are on this type of medication you may or may not be asked to stop taking it in advance - be sure to check with your doctor.

Like Den, I also experienced shortness of breath after my procedure (but then I had that beforehand too). I'd previously been prescribed an inhaler for bronchitis but it definitely helped in the few days after my procedure. I also purchased a pulse oximeter to keep track of my low oxygen which seems to have settled down after a week.

[Dr-Gohan]

Just saw your post and sorry to be late. Your case is interesting.Everyone on this forum is unique to some degree.

My wait was 20 months and medication helped reduce blood pressure and I was lucky, that while I was waiting, the technology was getting better.

I have been in NSR since I woke up from the ablation. I then seriously changed my life style to accomodate my bodies needs.

Plant-Based , no sugar or added salt. Zero fast food and if it comes in a box forget about it.

I began walking gently no running. My knees are 77 years old and complain if I abuse them.

Reduced stress by giving up the News shows and replaced them with watching anything that brings me joy and laughter.

If I wake up, I wiggle my toes and fill my heart with gratitude before my feet hit the floor.

I always drink 8 oz glass of water before eating. My meals are based on fresh fruit and raw veggies.

I research the internet almost every evening . I want to know what medication I am taking is truly doing as it makes the journey through my body .

The silver lining is I feel normal most of my day. In the first few months I would crash about 2:00pm and take a nap.

I suggest you listen to your body.

I feel reading your post that it as you said, "Bodes Well for you" that NSR had returned a couple of times on its own.

Good luck to you, your team of doctors will make it right.

[Declin in reply to Dr-Gohan]

Hi Dr-Gohan.Thanks for your reply, & good wishes. We seem to some similar views.

I also don't watch the constant negativity that is fed to us as 'news' and although I'm not a vegetarian the only meat I eat is chicken and fish. I stay away from processed foods and never add sugar or salt to anything.

A lot of my strenuous activity has ceased now but I still get a lot of pleasure from walking - particularly with my dog

Long may you stay in NSR and I hope you keep good health.

Best wishes,

Den

[Dr-Gohan]

Thanks Den, I know how great you feel when NSR is back. I look around at others and think they have no idea how lucky they are to constantly be in rhythm.Just walking through life day to day, just as I did. Then on 9/11/2019 I was Dx, d with Afib and it never got better until the cryoablation. I was fitted with a Pace Maker with built in defibrillor to protect me from possible sudden death syndrome in march of 2021. This improved my sleep rhythm at around 58 bpm. I was against ablation which I had been advised was only about 60 percent successful. Then one night soon after the Pacer implant, I was looking for more info on ablation and hit on a YouTube video that explace something called the Direct Sense Touch Cryo Ablation. That night I contacted my EP and asked him about this new improved guided procedure and what was up with the New

procedure? He explained that a group of electronic engineers had increased the success rate to 80 percent on the first try, by giving EP's the Map, of where the rogue nerve impulses are located, how thick the tissue was , which makes the choice to safely ablate them without the r

Danger of putting a hole in the wall of the heart. The computer could guide the doctor to know when their instruments were actually on the spot that was already mapped.

Any way I asked to be put on his calendar for the procedure.

April 29, 2021 , I got my life back.

The the whole fix took about 1 and 1/2 hours the two hours in reconvery. When I heard him say "you are in rhythm" I couldn't beleave it! Then he said, "you will live longer and have a better quality of life". Coming this April will be two years. I lost 30lbs in the whole process. I feel good and listen to my body. Still on meds for BP and a thinner. These may be needed for the duration.

Good luck with your journey

and be well.