Questions to ask at appointment with Cardiologist

[JLONDON]

Hi I have had AF for 2 years now following an ablation for flutter.I have a telephone appointment with my cardiologist this afternoon which had been postponed from October. I didn't want to wait another 8 months so I saw him privately. Amazingly was able to see him almost immediately!

As my paroxysmal AF is more frequent now, I was told that I'd need an RF ablation and that I would have to wait at least a year.

Just wondering, from your experience, what kind of questions I should ask him this afternoon?

Many thanks!

[mjames1]

Among other things, in the US, we are told to ask: (1) How many ablations do you perform a year; (2) How many have you performed altogether; (3) What is your success rate; (4) How do you define a "successful" ablation.

A good answer in the US for #1 is "greater than 100"; and for #2 is "Thousands". US studies show that the best results for ablations are at high output, large, teaching hospitals.

Jim

[JLONDON in reply to mjames1]

Thanks very much Jim. I asked all the questions you suggested and answers were reassuring.

[Coco51 in reply to JLONDON]

I'm really interested to know what the answer was to #4. What was the definition of a "successful" ablation. I never asked that and was assuming that ablation would be a complete cure for AF (as it can be for some) rather than a way of regulating the problem as it was for me.Still really glad I had it done - twice in fact- but my expectations were not well-managed!

[JLONDON in reply to Coco51]

Hi there Coco51, the Cardiologist did say that I might need another 1 after this! £15k for 1 done privately. I can't afford that but it makes it even less attractive if there is a 30% chance I might need another.

[Coco51 in reply to JLONDON]

It depends how much it is bothering you and affecting your life I suppose. 15k is a lot! Luckily I had my ablations on the NHS. I had AF 24/7 for months on end and any exercise even climbing the stairs sent my heartrate stratospheric. The two Ablations have really made a difference. I get very occasional short bursts of AF but manageable and mild. Still take drugs for it - the difference being they now work very well. Before the procedures they didn't.

But why have any procedure if you can manage without.

Just in case you change your mind there are EPs that do more radical Ablations the first time round and lessen the need for a second. I saw a YouTube video of a Dr at St George's explaining the logic. Can PM you info if interested

[JLONDON in reply to Coco51]

Yes please Coco51