Catheter ablation for PAF

[lizzieloo2]

Just realised that I had posted this update in the BHF site rather than the AF Association. So I'm posting this post ablation from Tuesday 8 August.

Hi all. I promised an update and here it is to hopefully put others' minds at rest if you haven't had one yet.

I had my catheter RF ablation yesterday. Was as nervous as hell after reading all the blurb they sent me months ago but decided on balance to go ahead as it is a progressive condition and the worse it gets, the less likely ablation will work. Anyway, arrived at 08.00 and was second in the queue. There were only 3 of us and the first man was 75 and he took 2.5hrs as was a bit complicated. I went to theatre about 12.20 and I was having a general. There was never any talk of it being done under local. I was given oxygen etc and the next thing I knew I was back on the ward waking up at about 1.50pm. I was dry, croaky and gasping for a drink after nothing since midnight the night before. I felt it difficult to get a deep breath so they put me on the oxygen that goes in your nose and after a few minutes was able to sit up a bit more and could breathe better. After 3 cups of tea, I felt human. The nurses were brilliant and so attentive before and afterwards. I saw the anaesthetist and the consultant both before and afterwards. Beforehand, there were no negative comments about risk which settled me and afterwards my consultant everything went well, was uncomplicated and successful as as soon as they touched the nerve from the pulmonary vein, I lit up like a Christmas Tree and they could see exactly where they needed to target. I went home at 5.30pm with instructions not to do anything strenuous for the rest of that day, no digging or heavy lifting for 48hrs. I had previously been told to not walk the dog for a week but the consultant told to start walking him the next day so today I have been for a short walk. I have a bit of a muzzy headache but that is the anaesthetic I think, I have a slight heaviness in the chest when I breathe deeply but otherwise I feel OK and no bleeding from groin puncture. I am glad I finally decided to go ahead as the man in the bed next to me said he'd had AF for 18 years but had only just decided to go for ablation as it had got worse over the last 2 years resulting in him being in AF for days at a time.

So don't worry and I can say that now from experience!

I will have a follow-up appointment in 3 months and in the meantime, I have been told to just continue with the Rivaroxaban. No Diltiazem (which I was on for blood pressure anyway before the AF) and no Flecainide as a PIP. The consultant will decide on blood pressure medication at this appointment and the 3 months without won't hurt, particularly if I help by losing weight etc

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lizzieloo2

Female68 years oldUnited Kingdom

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flecainiderivaroxabandiltiazemcatheter ablation

[2learn]

hi, do take it easy for at least a week or longer and give ablation time to bed in. In 3 months time a one off BP check at hospital doesn't really say anything, so perhaps monitor your own BP/HR and see how they go. Good luck

[lizzieloo2 in reply to 2learn]

Thanks, already taking daily BP for my own peace of mind. I have white coat syndrome so decided a hospital reading wouldn't help much. So far so good