Pacemaker

[2007]

Hi I'm due to have a pacemaker plus a abaltion after 6 weeks of pacemaker insertion, have had 2 abaltions that failed any one else had this please?

[CDreamer]

I am assuming you are talking about Pace and Ablation of the AV node?

Quite a few people have had this procedure on this forum and overall it has helped with quality of life. I will reply tomorrow with more details but very tired right now and headed for bed.

[DawnTX in reply to CDreamer]

reading what you said I think I understand him better he evidently has a six week wait. Two weeks after my pacemaker was hit it. I had my AV node done. I thought he meant his had two ablations since the pacemaker. Thanks CD.

[Tricia239]

As CDreamer says, I assume you’re having a Pace and Ablate procedure - I had this done last Friday. I also had had 2 previous ablations that weren’t terribly successful. I think you need to ask your Cardiology team if it is a Pace and Ablate, if it is then I’m more than happy to answer, to the best of my knowledge, any questions you might have; I did quite a bit of research before I agreed to have it done. Remember though that I’m not a professional, just the patient! Tricia

[2007 in reply to Tricia239]

Sorry, yes it is a pace & ablate, apparently pacemaker first then 6 weeks later the abalte kind regards Theresa

[JeanetteH]

Im having a pace and ablate procedure tomorrow.Ive seen lots people on here who have had it done and been positive.I already have a pacemaker fitted.

[2007 in reply to JeanetteH]

Good luck, are you having the abaltion same time,? my cardiologist is planning the pacemaker then 6 weeks after the node abaltion please let me know how you do 🙏 x

[JeanetteH in reply to 2007]

I already had pacemaker fitted so it was just pace and ablate of AV node.Really straight forward very quick no pain after.Feeling a bit breathless but pacemaker set at 80bpm and Im hoping will ease once they reduce the setting.

[DawnTX]

I don’t understand the two ablation’s after the pacemaker did you get an AV node ablation? That was the only other form my EP would consider

to the best of my knowledge I should not need anything else because with the AV node ablative, my pacemaker is in charge of everything

I hope you get some answers. I don’t claim to know everything I’m just confused about what you said I know some people do not get the AV node done with it still intact perhaps that’s why you have what you have going on you need to ask your doctor questions. Best of luck. I hope you get lucky as most of us have.

[DawnTX]

Aha after reading CD I think I understand you now you were talking about previous ablations. They are like apples and oranges. I had three including, very aggressive. That is not what your AV node will be for.

AV node ablation will block off the natural pacemaker so that your pacemaker will be in charge from now on and not get confused because I believe my AV node was sending crazy signals since it’s been ablated. I’m so much better. I may be wrong, but I think of it as the final ablation.

I got mine the second week after implant. Be advised, you may have a wiper of a headache and an ache in your chest. I forgot all about the fact. I usually have the ache after an ablation. When they connect your lines, you’ll need to be careful. How are you lay and you will be sore especially on the left side near the shoulder. I don’t remember now how long it felt lousy, it’s like it never happened now. But yes, you’re not gonna feel perfect but you’re not gonna feel that bad considering what they did for you. I think considering what they did I felt pretty good within a couple of days. The hardest thing I had to do was to remember not to use my left arm and hand. They gave me a sling, but I did not like having on. My nurse told me to have someone pin the left arm of my garment to the body of it so I can’t use it. I wish you the best and hope that you can still like I do and it even from the start because it’s all better than what we were suffering. Don’t let funny feelings scare you check with someone even check with us here. yeah, I did not know that after the pacemaker, I could still feel palpitations and flutter, when I spoke to my doctor, it evidently is just normal, but no one told me so it scared me I thought it meant the pacemaker didn’t work. You will find flutter and palpitations will come and go but they are no longer hurting your heart. That’s what the AV node ablation does. It protects so the PM is now the boss and won’t over beat.

[2007 in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you so much, will update you when I have had my procedures.it certainly different but will help me so much as have suffered SVT & Af since I was pregnant 15 yrs ago X

[JeanetteH in reply to 2007]

I had no soreness or headache.The catheter was threaded through the groin and took no time at all.I had to lie flat after for 4 hours because of the groin wound but it was fine despite anti coagulants

[Chamberpot]

I am also getting a Pacemaker in a weeks time, but I thought that was to regulate the heartbeat, I didn’t think you would need an ablation as well! I have been told that I am too old to have an ablation, as I am 83 years old, but don’t feel it! I developed heart failure about 8 months ago, and find that I can’t walk far now as I get out of breath.

[CDreamer in reply to Chamberpot]

Different procedures - Ablation for AF is very different to Pace & Ablate which is often a last resort treatment to improve QOL when other treatments such as RF/Cryo ablations to stop AF have failed.

The AV node is hearts natural pacemaker, once ablated it severs the connection between atria and ventricles - leaving you dependent upon the pacemaker to regulate your heartbeat. This means that your pulse is then regular - but it doesn’t mean it will stop AF so you may still feel palpitations. It can really improve QOL and reduce your symptoms.

There are different types of pacemaker which can be programmed to help with all sorts problems.

[JeanetteH in reply to Chamberpot]

I had a pacemaker fitted last year as the beta blockers were making my heart rate drop and they wanted to increase the drugs to help with the arrythmia.I did not have an ablation but had one earlier this year which failed so was advised to have the AV node ablation but you may not need it.The pacemaker kicked in when heart rate was too slow but does nit control high heart rate.With the AV node ablation the pacemaker is in control of the heart rate

[DawnTX in reply to Chamberpot]

the ablation is for the pacemaker to entirely control your heart because you’re AV node is not working correctly anyway. It’s not your typical ablation. This is a permanent thing blocking the area that is causing difficulty. That is the simplest way I can explain it.

I also have heart failure, so I fully understand how you feel I could not walk. The best I could do was scuffle down the hallway to the bathroom. Pacemakers are amazing. I had tachycardia, along with flutter and a host of things all I will tell you is now I feel like a human again. I can walk and take my dog out. I can breathe. No more shortness of the breath like it was. It takes time and sometimes you will still get your thumps etc if you have a fib or flutter, but after the AV node with the pacemaker in charge, you are not getting further damage

[2007 in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you so much for your info, I will let you know when I've had it done so pleased you feel much better now very encouraging xx

[Chamberpot in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you for all the information. I am now a week on after the pacemaker was fitted, and had a bit of blacking out and dizziness this am, but I am still quite tired and sleep a lot which will help me recover. A bit worried about my left arm, maybe I have used it too much? The Dr just said don’t raise it above shoulder height which I have done. The dressing came off this am and the nurse at the surgery said the wound is healing well. Another worry is the induction hob, he told me to be 12 inches away, which makes frying eggs difficult! Guess I will have to have boiled ones in future, but cooking generally will be difficult. Will have to use the oven and microwave more I guess!

[2007]

Thank you for the info x