Ablation

[Wilkie1]

Hi Everyone. I am exploring the option of having an ablation and I am wondering if any one of you has had this procedure undertaken privately in the UK or Ireland - I live in N Ireland so could go either way? My queries are how did you organise it and in particular how did you choose which hospital or provider to go to and how much did it cost? I am also grateful for any other advice on what in hindsight you feel i should be considering/asking etc. in progressing this approach. I am seeing an electro physiologist shortly to discuss the medical aspects and to get his advice on my approach but it would be helpful to get feedback from patients who have previously taken this option - I would not be a priority for NHS ablation as my Afib is paroxysmal and responds to medication when it occasionally occurs so if this is the route I go I would have to privately fund. Thanks for your help.

[BobD Volunteer]

This question hasn't been asked for a while so maybe a bit out of date but used to be around £15k but please remember " hotel costs" of most large hospitals run into min £500+ per night and can add up quickly if any complications.

[Wilkie1 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for that information Bob

[Hidden]

Hello Wilkie, not surprisingly I guess, most of us only know about the EP’s who operate (it’s not an operation but you know what I mean) in the areas we live in. I live around 25 miles south of London so I have fairly easy access to a number of London hospitals which are renowned for heart related treatment. Because of some the things I have been involved in since my diagnosis nearly 10 years ago, I have probably met and spoke to close on 30 EP’s but only one of them has performed (2) ablations on me. Without exception, all the EP’s I have met have come across as being competent, capable and absolutely charming whereas mine has an interesting bedside manner, rarely calls me by my right name but he has managed to keep me in NSR since I first saw him in 2015. There is no moral to this story other than it is really quite difficult to select the best EP in any given area. The only thing which can help I suppose is to establish how many procedures they carry out in a year and what their success rates are and if that’s information they appear to be unwilling to share, maybe seek an alternative.

Both my ablations were carried out on the NHS so my treatment plan evolved differently although my initial appointment was private. Practical issues to consider are selecting a location which is relatively easy to access, especially for the journey home after the procedure. Long trips on public transport and climbing stairs etc must be avoided.

I’ve added a link which will enable you access a list of specialists which are not recommendations nor is it definitive but you might find it helpful. It’s not unusual for members to post seeking comments about a specialist they are considering.

heartrhythmspecialists.org/...

Hopefully you will gel with the EP you are about to see….🤞good luck

[Wilkie1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks FlapJack appreciate you help and advice and the link. I think the options in Belfast are much more limited than in London.

[Colutd]

I had an ablation last week by going pvt. You start by reading EPs reviews or testaments and choose one and then make an appointment with them and discuss your options and estimated costs. I have paid 12 k so far but still have more bills to come. I put aside 20k for it and don’t expect much change. I think it’s unfair we have to do this but health and quality of life imo is more important than money. Unfortunately there are no guarantees the procedure is going to be successful so also that to bear in mind. Good luck

[Wilkie1 in reply to Colutd]

Thanks Colutd and good to get that recent cost estimate. Agree as well re it being unfair but like yourself believe that there isn't much choice if the only alternative is to wait until things deteriorate to the point where one is a priority and even then sit on a long waiting list.

[Jnani]

I just had an ablation in the UK 3 weeks ago, privately on insurance. Total cost including all appointments, treatment, overnight etc. was around £18,000. I still have some follow up appointments which will add to that. This was under general anaesthetic and included a one night stay. My AF, like yours, was paroxysmal with no underlying heart defects. My EP advised that it is at this early stage of AF that ablation has highest chance of long term success. I guess the EP you are seeing can advise on current situation with regard to NHS provision. Good luck with this.

[Wilkie1 in reply to Jnani]

Thanks Jnani and best wishes for a good outcome. What your EP told you is what the evidence from my research online indicates however I was told a few months ago that i wouldn't be considered for an ablation on the NHS. This relates to the need to ration rather than what's in any one patient's best interests.

[Ppiman]

I would consider paying first for an MRI scan, then seeing the cardiologist to discuss the prognosis and whether an ablation would be helpful. I always think that so much is done to the heart without the kind of useful knowledge that such a scan would reveal.

Steve

[Wilkie1 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for that. I have an appointment this Friday with EP and will discuss that as a possible next step with him.

[Princelover]

Hi I’ve just had a cryoablation this week for paroxysmal AF which was very symptomatic when it arrived with quite a dramatic heart rate a rushing to the loo style 😂 Was also advised as everything else was in great shape to do early and hopefully stall it’s advancement. Mine was with the Birmingham Heart Rhythm Group at The Priory in Birmingham. No GA and I believe the charge for an overnight stay will be around £11000…..Just thought that might give you an option not as far as London? Could be done via road not air with a few extra nights over here? Good luck with the appointment

[Wilkie1 in reply to Princelover]

Best wishes for a good outcome and Birmingham might be a good option for me as i have a brother who lives in Leamington whom i believe would put me up for a few days as required. Thanks for that option and I would believe that it is safest to choose an option where this procedure is routinely completely.

[Princelover in reply to Wilkie1]

Hi again I was with Dr Lencioni and Dr Marshall. The former does over 300 of these procedures a year either at the NHS Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham or around the corner at The Priory. Both were at my procedure and I felt safe and confident in my choices and where I was treated; everyone has been super kind and they’ve just rung to check in to see how I am doing so feel my welfare is taken very seriously. If you want the secretary’s number message me; her name is Michelle and she both friendly and very efficient so you could have a preliminary chat with her re costs etc. Glad everyone has chipped in with ideas for you to consider; just make sure you consider all the pros and cons for you and your situation.

[Wilkie1 in reply to Princelover]

Thanks again Princelover, sounds like a good experience and I may take you up on the offer of the contact details after I see my EP this Friday. Good luck and best wishes.

[Beta44]

The key, is to go to an EP who has lots of experience of ablation in a centre of excellence in which many ablations are carried out. I went with Prof Schilling and had a highly successful ablation. If you are going privately then you can control whose hands you are in.

Peter

[Wilkie1 in reply to Beta44]

Thanks Peter - agree with your view on Centre of Excellence as more important than accessibility. Is there any information on the web that you can point me in the direction of which gives data on numbers of procedures and outcomes?

[Beta44 in reply to Wilkie1]

one of the reasons I chose Prof. Schilling was because he audits and publishes his results. Look up the London AFib Centre. So far as I know nobody else does.

[Wilkie1 in reply to Beta44]

Will check those out Beta - thanks

[Back2Life]

I developed paroxysmal AF in late 2021 (I was 48 years old). I live in Berkshire in England. A friend had had similar issues at same age and recommended the cardiologist Dr Antony Chow who works out of Circle Hospital in Reading. After investigation (MRI and echo sound) I was offered ablation as alternative to medication (Bisoprolol and Flecainide). Dr Chow has been performing ablations for twenty years and had a host of data on outcomes of his patients over those years. Mine was a complete success and have not had any AF for nearly two years now and am on no medication. Surgery was performed at Wellington Hospital in London. Costs likely to be different today as everything going up and I had BUPA cover. I recommend Dr Chow to anybody. He changed my life.

[Wilkie1 in reply to Back2Life]

Thanks you for sharing that information (and your positive outcome) which i will research further. Best wishes that you continue in NSR.