hi
I am a 51 year old male with Paroxysymal AF. I recently underwent an ablation (about 4 months ago) and had an AF episode this morning for about 45 minutes controlled with Flecanide. should I assume that the ablation hasn't worked or is there evidence that it can take longer than 4 months to confirm whether it has worked or not?
thanks
Good question - how long is a piece of string? The great thing is that your episode was controlled by Flecainide.
A few questions:-
What sort of ablation? Cryo? Where in the world did you have the ablation? Sometimes with a cryo ablation the balloon doesn’t reach cover all the areas so you may need a ‘touch up’ RF ablation.
Did you capture the episode on any mobile ECG device?
I have seen posts on here from people who took much longer than 3-4 months before short episodes of AF gradually declined and then ceased so I wouldn’t lose hope yet but if you experience further episodes contact your EP or Arrythmia nurse.
As an aside - did you read the book The Afib Cure? There is a lot of information there of how Lifestyle Changes even post ablation can help keep you in NSR, Dr Day has a Blog site on his website you may find helpful drjohnday.com/get-rid-atria...
Best wishes and hope that it was a one off episode for you.
thanks for the reply, I had a cryo ablation in dubai, and I captured the episode on my Apple Watch. will definitely read that book, although as a non drinker, fairly sporty person with a pretty good diet I feel like I do all I can already to prevent attacks....aside from stress which I believe is one of my triggers. saw my EP today and he said just to carry on as normal and see what happens from here. the life of an Afibber I guess!!
cheers and thanks for the advice
There is a lot you can do around Lifestyle beyond what you imbibe and managing stress should be top of your list closely followed by checking inflammatory markers and working to reduce them, exercise, breathing and sleep.
that's good advice thank you, when you say check inflammatory markers how would I do this? I am considering going to a health spa, looking at Ayurvedic medicine, gut detoxes etc in a way to boost my immune system. hopefully this will help.
your GP should be able to advise
arc-w.nihr.ac.uk/news/infla...
It’s recommended to monitor every 6 months or so, I have them checked every 3 months along with other bloods tests.
You definitely should not assume that the ablation has not been effective.
For me I did have to have more than one ablation which is not unusual.
Ablation doesn’t necessarily have the effect of stopping AF but reduces the frequency which is a significant benefit if your AF has been frequent.
Give it time for me after the last ablation I saw a gradual improvement over a two year period.
Pete
thanks for the advice. Before the procedure I was getting bouts every 3-4 months that would last up to 24 hours. This last episode only lasted 45 minutes so that in itself is an improvement! I The EP has advised me to wait and see how it progresses so I guess that’s what I will do! I hope all is good with your af journey.
My ‘journey ’ has been over 30 years.
My last ablation was in 2017 and so far, touch wood, I have been free of AF now for 12 months. It is wonderful.
Pete
Probably what you don't want to hear, but at the four month mark, an afib episode is suggestive the ablation did not work, which begs the question of what is "did not work". One ep told me if I expect zero afib episodes in six months, then my odds are only 60%. But if I was ok with a 90-95% reduction in afib burden, then the odds were 80%. If the episodes continue and you're not happy with the frequency and/or dependence on flecainide, do consult with an ep for next steps which might be a touch up ablation.
Jim
hello I too was diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF back in 2016. About 3-4 months afterwards I too had another episode of AF but also many of slow eart rates as low as 30bpm. I was told I needed another ablation but after the first I wasn’t keen. Anyway I went away and tried to manage the few I had and over time I couldn’t really say when I had the last one now. I think speak to the doctor again and get yourself checked out if nothing else but definitely seek advice. Good luck.
listen to your EP. It has “worked” - it was only a brief episode! Will more come? Only time will tell. I had two brief episodes (not my fierce 8-12 hour weekly blighters) many months after my ablation. None in the 22 months since. Let the scars form and heal and hope they block the signals. Good luck!
It’s ok using this site but remember it’s not a medical advisory site. No matter how people tell you they were after an ablation we are all very different. For example, I had an ablation in September 2021. I did have some fleeting AF episodes after the ablation and I am fine now.
I get fed up when I read post saying cryoablation won’t last you’re gonna have to have more etc.
My advice is always talk to your medical people. I know we come onto sites generally looking for reassurance. And I have to say I have on occasions had that reassurance. Unfortunately, there are some negative comments that I have not found helpful. Don’t take medical advice other than from the people that know your medical history.
Hey Jcvi,Very similar results here. Had an ablation and had no AFib episodes for the 3 month blanking period on rhythm meds and blood thinner. At three months I went off the drugs completely and made it about two weeks before episodes started again, 3 episodes in 5 days.. so my doc said get back on the rhythm meds and a second ablation is likely (touch up for missed areas or areas that have reconnected). I'm 53 and of similar lifestyle as you..I've basically maxed out lifestyle features for helping the condition...it's just bad electrical, probably inherited. My goal is to get off the rhythm meds if possible, some day. I will say that things normalized within a couple days when back on my normal med schedule. I'm at around the 4 month mark. Even when not in AFib, when off the meds it seemed like I was dizzy more often and more heart palps etc. Really unstable. So in my case i obviously wasn't quite ready for off the meds, still healing, etc. At least according to my doc, the increasing episodes I was getting when off the meds points toward a 2nd ablation needed. Not what any patient wants to hear if course, but not uncommon either.
This forum is a good resource .. lots of folk having gone through similar, etc. all over the world. Yes, some prefer the tough love responses, but we all have different personalities. I almost see this condition as a conveyor belt and where you are on it. It's a mysterious thing where even the docs don't particularly know why and when afib returns..just stat based maybes. But sounds like you are going down the right road. I hope the pill in pocket episodes get less and less for you! If not, at least you have resources to look at next steps. It's comforting compared to the 'what the hell is going on and what do I do' feeling of the start of all this, when you don't know it yet but are climbing on the conveyor belt 
Be well..
Managing stress is top priority You gave to work at stayingcas calm as your possibly can Breathing exercises relaxation It is a real management of your heart and stress. Lifestyle change is essential plus diet I gavexat least 2 litres of water daily The Afib cure study it applybut the best you can it works
I had and ablation 7 weeks ago at first I was free for about 10 days but now it is back with a vengeance , I am on 100x2 Flecanide and Equilis. there is a three month blanking period after that if AF continues it has not worked and will be listed for another ablation. I have had AF for 18yrs and been in Flecanide during that time. When In AF I take 59mg Flecanide and 25mg Metorpol for fast heart rate
Pre ablation meds
3 weeks post ablation
3-1/2 weeks post ablation...progress at last
Post ablation query
Two weeks post flutter ablation
