Hi all!
I was wondering if there are any long time ablation success stories out there ?
I had PAF, had a 4 vessel PVI cryoablation in Mach of 2018 and am off all meds and Noacs. Besides a few episodes that last 2-5 seconds or an occassional PVC, I am doing great.
Anyone else out there with a success story?
Thanks’
Hi Qfizz.
There are many. Sadly many of the people drop out of the forum once they are 'cured'. It's a shame really as you will tend to read more here about the failures.
To answer your question - yes many have success stories to tell. I'm sure some forum members will post them on your thread.
Paul
I think most regulars are sick of me saying I've been AF free since my third ablation in 2008.
Forums like this will always show negativity as success stories don't hang around normally. If I hadn't been a volunteer and wanted to help others I wouldn't.
As Paulbounce says most of those with success stories are not so sad as to hang around with the likes of us AFers.
I believe my story to be a success although you may not class it so.
I have been AF free now for 12 months.
Since my last of 7 ablations in 2017 my frequency of AF has gradually decreased.
I first was diagnosed with AF in 1990 I am 76 in 4 weeks time so the moral is never give up.
Pete
Good to hear Pete, but I do wonder if after 7 ablations it becomes rather less of a anatomically precise science and the atria are simply so battle-scarred that they are simply rendered no longer able to fibrillate ! Even if that is the case, that's still a helluva lot better than AF.
I have been under a very competent EP and because I was such a difficult case he ultimately used state of the art 3D imaging called “Orion”.
All the reports were very precise and whilst you may have a point that my heart might have given up the fight the work carried out was very precise and the last ablation in 2017 lasted 9 hours.
Pete
My goodness Pete you are a champion at sticking to your goal. I went for Pace and Ablate as I couldn't stand the thought of many ablation. A bit drastic I know but time was running out for me so I went for it. There have been a few ups and downs but I'm getting there at last. 😉
Ultimately my EP suggested that pace and ablate is an option. I was always scared of this because I have a skin allergy and was worried that I would have an allergic reaction to a pacemaker.
So far my heart has settled down so I am hoping all will be well.
Pete
I had a cryo ablation x 4 PVI plus a bonus one at St Barts in Aug 2021 - apart from a very brief 6 hr AF episode during the blanking period I have (TOUCHWOOD) remained AF free! So will be 2 years free of AF this August. Still on partial meds bisop statins spiron candesartan. Review by local GP who will reduce bisop from 2.5mg to 1.25 mg but won't hold my breath on that one!!
I had an ablation nearly 6 years ago which in my mind was successful. After the ablation I was told I had a slight flutter so I was told to take a low dose Flecainide. I had been on the maximum dose. I now have no AF and feel a great weight taken away. I can play tennis golf travel with no problem. I would recommend having an ablation if offered.
I am now two years since RF PVI.No AFIB confirmed by telemetry of Biotronics PM.
Had my two year check up last week stress test ECG, Echocardiogram and BP all very good. Only meds since ablation is 15mg Zaralto and BP med. Probably don't need BP meds anymore.
Only life style change is way big cutback of my favourite tipple.
Aerobic fitness is not where I would like but recent RTKR still limits thongs a bit.
The ablation hss made a huge positive impact on my life!
PVI CRYO Jan 2018. No afib since! Off all meds since May 2018. OCCASIONAL ectopics. (Just woke up with them ). Must be developing a bug.
Hi I had a cryoablation at St Barts in October 2021 and touch wood, other than etopics, I have been afib free, long may it continue 😊
I had an ablation for svt about 3 years ago. All good, no meds needed, no svt.
I had my second ablation November 2020 and I have not had a single afib episode since then (Yet) I do expect the damned thing to return one day but the two years plus of normal life have been blessed
Steve
my one and only ablation was in 2013 and was free of af until last year. I am now starting to get odd episodes
This is all very encouraging to hear. I am new to AF, having had six episodes now, in the last two months. Yesterday I had my 3rd cardioversion (after passing out hour 12 of the AF, my wife had to call the ambulance to take me to Emerg). Events leading up to mine, have been different every time. Exercise seems to be a common denominator, but most days my wife and I trail run (slow, am 64 yrs old, retired and am out there for the view haha), mtn bike, hike, or ski, so hard to tell. When assessed by Cardiologists and EP, I was told there was only one antiarrythmia med I could take (Multaq) because of my low HR (can’t get it to full dose though, since HR often low 40’s, so clearly not working). They said I was a very good candidate for ablation and they put me on a one year waiting list (Kelowna, BC, Canada, 6 hrs from where I live ). Angiogram clear, but they did find I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (apical, so only mild thickening of heart muscle). They have been excellent at following me weekly by phone, and last week told me I’ve moved up to the 6 month waiting list. Today I’m hoping to hear that I’m moved up again. A tough thing to pray for though, if it means someone else is being bumped off to get me on! Hats off to those of you that have been dealing with this for years.
Absolutely! I thank the good Lord everyday for the successful cryoablation I had back in 2017. Prior to it, my Afib had progressed to daily events that lasted for hours. And that was with medication. That horrifying lifestyle lasted for many months up until I was able to get in for the procedure. To this day, I rarely have any a fib. If and when it happens, it’s after a night of heavy drinking which only occurs once every 6 months or so. I am 1000% sure that the reason for my successful is because my electro physicist has a long history of success with not only ablations, but complicated procedures as well. He warned me going in that it may take more than one procedure, however, so far so good. As someone else mentioned, this forum mainly houses people who have not had positive outcomes
and I pray for them. My advice to anyone seeking an ablation is to do your homework and do your very best to find the most highly skilled electro physicist you can possibly pair with. The name of my doctor is David DeLurgio in Atlanta, GA.
in UK to find an expert ep is very difficult since there is a referral process as I understood properly unlike in the States people here can pick the ep they want. In UK they can go the private route and pay out of the pocket and then they can pick their ep. Same system in France to go see a specialist they need to be referred by a GP. All of it has been done to bring down the costs. On the other hand in the States the health insurance premiums are up to the roof as well as the copayments. No system is perfect.
I am in the US as well ( Newport Beach, Ca). I was VERY lucky to have a PPO and choose my surgical team or I am sure I would be on ablation #5 by now.
So glad for all of you who are doing well.
Having AF was the worst thing I ever experienced, and I have had cancer and am a front line Emergency Medicine Physician.
Prayers for all of you!
Hi, had my ablation June 2021(av node) to sort out af ,been ok ever since. Good luck!
2 years 3 months NSR since ablation, after 3 years of constant persistent AF. I love the NHS !
71, no meds now. Still working as well.
I am so glad to hear you success story. Sadly it seems it is in short supply! Blessings!!
Yes, I have been almost completely afib free since my ablation in 2013. So glad I had it done!
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