AF after ablation

[Oak321]

Hi I posted last Sunday saying my husband had gone into AF 6 days after his ablation this lasted for 24 hours. He previously has been AF free for over a year and normally only had episodes following illness.

Since Monday he has been in and out of AF every day. He had a bad episode which started yesterday morning which made him very dizzy and breathless , the dizziness and breathlessness stopped but he has been in AF ever since ranging from 50 to 90.

He takes bisoprosol 1.25 once a day and apixoban twice a day. He has not been given anything else but has had problems with flecainide and Soltorol in the past.

I feel he needs something to stop these episodes and he is going to ring the clinic tomorrow. Does anyone have any thoughts or tips on how to stop the AF please as it is really getting him down and making me very anxious.

Thanks in advance.

[BobD Volunteer]

I know that we signposted you to our fact sheet on recovery so you will know that this is quite normal. I would also say that the rate is of no concern.

I suspect that the prime problem is worry so relaxation along with slow deep breathing should help. For both of you! Yes do contact the EP or his arrhythmia nurse on Monday if only for more re-assurance.

[Oak321 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for the reply, yes we have read the fact sheet and am aware that episodes can happen, but reading on here I have not found anything where someone has gone from no episodes to daily episodes after having the ablation. I just feel that he needs some sort of rhythm control pill and also reassurance as you said. He is normally a very fit man who enjoys walking and bike rides but he still hasn’t managed a short walk in 3 weeks as he feels so weak.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Oak321]

Again quite normal . Just because he does not have a giant zip up his front doesn't mean his heart is not seriously traumatised . The supposed three month "blanking period" is a minimum and as we say, many people are still improving at nine months or a year.

[mjames1 in reply to Oak321]

Somewhat normal but many ep's add protection during the "blanking" period in the form of anti-arrhythmics. Your cardio may want to go that direction, or simply give it more time.

You say your husband has not done well on Flecainide or Soltalol -- so Amiodarone is something to discuss with your Cardio. Not something he would want to be on long term, but with the appropriate monitoring, it's arguably the most effective anti-arrythmic and should be safe.

Jim

[Oak321 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks for your reply, yes he had bad reactions to those alone with digoxin which he say’s nearly killed him but seemed to cure his AF as after taking it for a week he has not had another episode for over a year until the ablation.

It’s just really hard to see him like this when he is normally so fit. I think we just need to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. He has been in the latest episode for 36 hours with episodes of dizziness . He is going to ring the clinic tomorrow to hopefully get some help.

Julie

[waveylines in reply to Oak321]

Aww Julie sorry that your hubby is going through this. Definately ring the specialist and let them know. They can then advise or they may want to check him over. The point is he isn't feeling at all well so like any op one should should let the medics know.Hope he feels better soon. Xx

[Fullofheart]

Hi there, I think Bob's comment is helpful and accurate. My story is different as I have been in persistent AF for over a decade. Intermittent before that for 8 years but pretty much a daily thing. So 18 years of it in all. I had 3 ablations last year and went back into persistent AF just a day after each and that's how it stayed each time.However 6 months on from ablation number 3, I am now in NSR (4 weeks so far). So, the healing period can take up to 3 months and, for some, quite a while longer.

I too am otherwise fit and active, at 48. But rest is important and part of the healing. He needs to not overdo it. It's quite a procedure and its early days!

Hope you get good advice from the arrhythmia nurses.

[Ppiman]

It’s always worrying but I suspect these will diminish as his ablation scars heal over the next few weeks and months. His heart is still healing after burning.

I have read that such recurrence isn’t always a good sign for ablation success but I’ve also read that recurrent AF is not uncommon in the early weeks and that by twelve months most are still AF free.

I had severe AF a week after my atrial flutter ablation in 2019, but 5mg bisoprolol stopped it and I kept free for about another year, but now i still have occasional AF.

I would try to remain positive at this early stage. He might be told to increase his bisoprolol to try to calm things as that seems the usual thing to try.

Steve