Wish I’d seen this before I had an ablation last week. It’s highly informative about the entire process, the equipment that’s used and potential outcomes.
If I had watched this I may have felt a little less daunted by the amount of huge screens and equipment in the cath lab and the sheer number of docs, anaesthetists, nurses and technicians in the room.
It’s certainly worth a watch if you’re awaiting an ablation and like me you like to know all about everything.
thank you so much for this, I am having an ablation hopefully within the next few months. Although I have been advised to stay awake (sedated) as it’s a better success rate.
Oh that’s interesting. It’s not what the MD says in the video. Mind you that is dated 2018, so things may be changing - again. I’d be interested to know if you’re having a full RF ablation or some other procedure? I had full GA as my ablation took approx three hours.
it’s a catheter ablation, they have to treat the R side for an Atrial flutter & the back of the heart for AF. I have been told it can take up to 3 hours. I think they want it as a day case tbh I will be at Stoke
Thanks Dippy such an interesting video. I’m on the waiting list for ablation and marvel at how technology has advanced. But most importantly the skills of the EPs and medical team never cease to amaze!
Thanks for this Dippy, really informative. I'm on the waiting list for catheter ablation at St Barts, and have opted for a general anaesthetic.
Hi. I didn’t know there was an option, I was simply told it would be done under general. I had it done in Derriford, Plymouth. Maybe it depends if there are other (health?) reasons not to give general. 🧐
One thing I’ve learned which you may find useful is keep your face in their face, don’t just sit waiting on a list that nobody monitors, as you’ll get passed over for what they deem more urgent cases. When I worked in the hospital about 20th arts ago we had a saying, “He (she) who shouts loudest gets seen first.” And a ED nurse actually quoted that to me just a couple of months ago, so it’s still true!
I will take a look as waiting for Pulsed Field Abalation on the list. I will be asleep apparently and an hours procedure, dusting but grateful
I am having my 2nd ablation next week after having had 1st one in 2016 when they froze it. Having treatment for AF and flutter and EP states it’s a 5 hour procedure under GA so not sure why mine is estimated at 2 hours more than others who have commented here? I am anxious even though last one went well, do you think me watching the video will help me or make me more anxious?
It depends how much you need to know. Some people just can't cope with having the fine details and risks explained; others ( like me) are much better knowing as much as possible. For me it explained all the risks as well as how careful they a re. I found it utterly fascinating but it all comes down to how you react and only you know that.
Yep, there are two distinct types of patients - “the want to know everything’s” and the “don’t tell me anything’s”. Even if you’re type type that doesn’t want to know the ins and outs of it all, it’s good to watch from the point of view (in my opinion) that the room and all the technical equipment and the number of staff bustling about was a shock. A Cath Lab isn’t like a normal operating theatre. Far from it in fact.
I was told I had two anaesthetists and two electrophysiologists, so I wrongly assumed there were concerns for me, but going by the video there’s more than one of everyone, so that they can take a break or nip to the loo! 😀
I'm in the knowledge is power group.
Then you will really enjoy it. Me too. I just love seeing the amazing things they can do today. My mum had eclampsia in 1948 which damaged her heart and caused heart failure. She did live to be 69 without any treatment whatsoever, not even a tablet. I just can't help thinking how long she could have lived with the medicines and procedures we have now. Modern medicine is miraculous. She could never have dreamed of someone putting wires inside her heart. A couple of stents could have given her years more.
Me too, and so I suspect are most of the people in this group. We the types who love/need to glean as much info as possible in order to feel confident and in control (and that’s not in a bad way!).
From what you've written you’re having more than one procedure. Mine was a straight forward AF and I think I was in there for about three hours. Well I asked the anaesthetic what time it was just before I closed my eyes and he said it was 12.00, and I was gone. I woke up in recovery at 4pm.
Watch it, it’ll help explain the different procedures/areas they have to ablate. He quotes a case where a patient had to come back for a second ablation because it turned out his AF wasn’t just coming from the entrance to the main vein, but from the back wall of the heart itself as well.
Good luck with your procedure. Hold the thought you’re in good hands. xx
Hi I had radio ablation in May. Was told it could be up to 5 hours but ended up only 3 and doc very pleased. I also was told it would be under general anes. ( Cant imagine chancing i would move or something myself). Any way took a couple weeks to feel "normal" post but felling so much better i find it amazing. EP having me reduce flecainade from 200 to 50 daily. So far so good after two weeks..no afib by 2 mos post RA. Not sure diff between cryo and radio procedures but talk to your EP. All the best!
Hi. I had RF ablation 9 days ago. I think most do only RF now. Doc said it was “acutely successful” and NO AFib since! My first whole week AFib-free since October last year, which is a huge relief. No meds worked for me so I was only taking Amiodarone prior to the op, which was stopped immediately (that drug didn’t work either). I’m just taking Edoxaban now. Maybe, just maybe, if I stay AFib-free for the next few months I can stop that too.
The wonders of modern medicine!!
Long but brilliant. Wouldn't it be wonderful if doctors had the time to explain properly but watching that beforehand could answer all their concerns and worries.
Fascinating. Thanks for posting.
Requirements for Cardioversion or Catheter Ablation
Catheter Ablation recovery 
Catheter ablation update
Post Catheter Ablation Recovery 
