Pulse Field Ablation

[RVine3]

Hello Everybody,

Persistent AFIB since 10/2022. 74 years. At the moment continuously in NSR post DCCV in January with initiation of Multaq (giving me some symptoms with sinus bradycardia after three week Holter Monitor use - no afib recorded but monitor showed SR/SB with rates 40-100 bpm.). Sometimes dizzy when on a brisk walk. Suggested I could continue with Multaq, or try stopping and see what happens, or switch to Propafenone. Anybody had any experiences with Multaq vs. Propafenone?

I think until I get an ablation I will try and stay on an antiarrhythmic or? Confusing....

Not sure when to schedule an ablation as I'm in NSR but I was told having a pulse field ablation is a possibility (if I fit the team's criteria - no promises, but they'll meet with me)) as it is still officially a study at this point. Anybody know about this procedure? I've heard fairly good things but not yet approved.

Thanks and good wishes to all.

[mjames1]

Quicker and safer and if in trial prob with a top ep. Go for it if offered. Just ask how many PFA the ep has done. Over 20 wld be ok at this point as it's new.

Jim

[RVine3 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks for the reply. I think I would like to go for it and will ask about number of PFA'S - only hope I would pass muster as a candidate.

[mjames1 in reply to RVine3]

May not be a big number, cause it's new, but my guess is that the trial ep's who are doing PFA's have at least a thousand conventional catheter ablations under their belt. Different technology, but very similar skill set.

Jim

[Funkygirli]

I had a PFA last September, and have been mostly in NSR since. The procedure was completely painless and very short recovery time!

[RVine3 in reply to Funkygirli]

Congrats and continued good luck.

[BobD Volunteer]

PFA is still very new so not a lot of data available yet on long term results.

Multaq (Dronedarone) has had poor results across the board and fell from grace some years ago her in UK and Europe. I used propafanone very successfully for over ten years before my third ablation stopped my AF.

[RVine3 in reply to BobD]

Thanks very much for this. Multaq still used here in US. I'm not well pleased with it - not sure if by poor results you mean not well tolerated with side effects or not effective in keeping patient in NSR or both - it's all pretty new to me - but very helpful to hear propafanone worked well for you and glad your third ablation stopped your AFIB.

[Stcasimir]

I have used Propafenone for about 20 years. My cardiologist refers to it as ‘my pill in the pocket’. I would take one pill when I would get an Afib episode and would be fine within a couple of hours.

A couple years ago it stopped working. I have since had an ablation and been fitted with a pacemaker. So far so good. Afib free.

[RVine3 in reply to Stcasimir]

Thank you for sharing your experience with Propafenone - interesting as pill in the pocket concept - I didn't know. It worked for you for a long time and I am glad after your ablation and pacemaker that it's so far so good and AFIB free. May it continue for you!