Hello all, have a date for my ablation at Bart’s. After much stress I have made the decision to have it done under General Anaesthetic. I would really like to know how you found the whole experience.
Ablation: Hello all, have a date for my... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Ablation
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Nan1
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BobDVolunteer
A lot less worrying than dental treatment!!! You won't feel a thing but please do read the following two fact sheets on preparing for and recovering from ablation which you will find helpful . (may be a second or two to follow. P
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Thank you Bob. Did you have sedation. I was offered that as well
No I am a devout coward and prefer not to be there!
I have a date for mine as you can probably see from my post yesterday, bit I haven't been given a choice, I am told sedation
All the best to you
Me too!
They said that to me on my first ablation too.? But I needed another 2 ablations after my first and I said it’s GA or nothing.!!!!
I got the GA and it was a breeze.!! Some folk prefer the sedation but after giving it a try I would never have sedation again.
I had my ablation four weeks ago under general anaesthetic - it was a really positive experience overall. Having GA meant that I blinked and it was done! 3+ hours over in a moment. I felt a bit groggy afterwards but that feeling was short lived, and you have to remember you are having heart surgery so you won't feel great immediately afterwards, but that is ok and all part of the process. I was very anxious about my operation and ended up being pleasantly surprised.
Thank you so much for your reply. Very encouraging
Hi Nan, I had sedation and have no recollection of the procedure. In fact I can’t say it was much different from GA - these days they keep you under lightest possible anaesthetic whatever the choice. I planned for a long rehab period cos everyone says rest, but think that might have made me a bit lazy by week four! Things take a while to settle, my heart has had the odd grumble, but all worthwhile.
I had two ablations with sedation and one by GA. Far preferred the GA and picked up a lot quicker afterwards.
Jean
Hello Jeanjeannie, I’ve been in such turmoil deciding which to go for and think for me personally GA is preferable. Tend to be an anxious person. But of a shock when you get that call giving you a date. Thanks for reply
It is a shock when you get given a date for your ablation, sods law will probably be that your heart will totally behave its self from now until then. Your mind will work overtime wondering if you should go ahead with it or not and you tell yourself you can always cancel the appointment. Generally we do decide to go ahead with it in the hope that we can once again have the energy and confidence of someone AF free.
I had 3 ablations to get me where I am now and my goodness I'm so much better. Couldn't go back to that fast heart rate nonsense again. I think I let my heart rate get too bad before having an ablation and am now in constant AF at a rate between 60-90bpm and that's fine.
Jean
Thank you again for your reassurance. I always follow your posts as very helpful. So glad you are on an even keel.
Good to hear your experience. I saw my consultant yesterday, I was put on Dronedarone and not happy with the side effects and the possible liver & kidney issues with it. I’ve had skin issues in the sun with it 😳 So finally consultant mentioned ablation. He’d offered pacemaker and meds, NO don’t want that at 66. So referred to Professor Shilling.
Rather daunting
No, I wouldn't be happy on Dronedarone either and of course you don't want a pacemaker at your age. Unless you're passing out?
Many years ago someone I knew through business went to have an ablation with Prof Shilling. He was admitted, chatted to other patients and then decided he wouldn't have the ablation and went home. That must have been about 14 years ago, but of course lots has changed since then. Prof shilling is one of the top guys isn't he.
Jean
My consultant knows him and said he’s top guy, so….. wait for appointment. I recently say a YouTube video by Dr Sanjay Gupta and his consultant tutor about arrhythmias and the tutor feels that those with PAF, ie me, should be offered ablation and can be successful. So 🤞🏻
alternatives 🤷🏼♀️ And I have Haemochromatisis Compound variant which is a liver disorder! As a Complementary Therapist of 26 years, I’m their worst nightmare 🤣
That made me laugh - I bet you are their worst nightmare. Don't keep quiet though, we have to say what we think too. If it's only for them to tell us why we are wrong.
Well, according to Ma, I had an answer for everything 🤣
I also had my ablation at barts under general anesthetic. Best thing ever never felt a thing procedure and care wad excellent. Good luck 👍
I've had 4 ablations , 3 under sedation and one under GA. Personally I prefer sedation as recovery much quicker.
Thank you for replying. I hope having had four ablations your heart is stable.
Wish I'd had the choice! University Hospital Coventry and Walsgrave do NOT offerGA for either Cryo OR RF ablation.
My procedure, for both AFIB.(cryo) and A flutter ( RF) were done under minimum sedation and pain relief.
I have found out ,since ,in follow up,was given minimum (1 mg out of a possible 10mg,because I presented as calm entering the theatre ,on foot, with nurse,
Had a really nasty few minutes.
However ,I have also had 4 other major ops,unrelated to heart issues(Gynae x 2 and Gallbladder x2)
TBh better recovery, BUT....if I need a 'top up ablation ,currently under review,I am certain that I will be grilling anyone with a pulse who might have an influence on my sedation/ pain relief,before I even look at the table. Might even take in a clip board,and get them to sign it.
Not really joking.
Really, you have taken the option I would have really liked. GA holds no fears for me,really wish I could choose . In my mind I think they can get on with the job better ,without me complaining,and threatening to get off the table unless they stopped hurting me! Yes I said that.
I'm sure you have chosen wisely.
You poor thing that sounds awful. What a horrible experience. Could you opt for a different hospital that offers GA. Thanks for your reply
I looked into it ,but would be treated as if totally new patient,and be at the back of a really long queue( 18 months!)I'm hoping that I don't need it. I'm on the list but on a 'wait and see ' option. Hopefully the episodes I've had don't return.
I'm sure you will not regret it!
Yep, GA not offered to me either. Could have saved themselves having to listen to me keep asking what they were doing every 5 mins. 😁.
😆 🤣 😂 yes ! I kept saying, never mind the jubilee lets concentrate eh! And " what's he saying over there?"
ive had 2 PV ablation procedures. First was cryo under sedation . It was aborted as my heart began playing up.
6 months later I had succesful RF ablation under GA.
I cant remember either procedure.
Hi Nan I had a Cryoablation on Thursday in Coventry with sedation . I wish I had decided to go for an ablation earlier rather than listening to those who say as AF progresses your heart can adjust, mine didn’t I have always been highly symptomatic and as I reached the persistent stage of AF life had become very difficult .
I am glad I had sedation rather than GA because I like to have a degree of control and to know what is happening.
Carful monitoring meant the sedation was topped up if I felt discomfort .
It is early days yet and such a relief not to be in AF all the time , I wasn’t expecting a cure just relief from my symptoms looking on any improvement as a bonus.
Thanks doodle. Glad it went well for you. When under sedation were you able to chat to the staff or were you too sedated to communicate clearly
Hi Nan I am used to using controlled breathing to help with my AF ,so slow breathing and counting breaths in and out I which I used the moment the ablation procedure started as a form of calming myself down and distraction also I had an oxygen mask in place (though not in use ) so no conversation just grunted communication . I was continually asked about pain levels and discomfort by the very kind competent staff. The electrophysiologists seemed very young but skilled and I felt safe in their hands.
I was allowed home the same day which would have been less likely with a GA. I did have a problem with bleeding from the wound so had to lay down longer than is usual.
Hi Nan
I had two ablations one in July 2020 the other November same year. The second under general anaesthetic. You have made a great choice I think. My first under sedation was fine but the G A was even better.
Since November I have not had a single episode and flecanide and bisoprolol ended the day after the procedure .
Great decision well done and good luck
Steve
Brilliant news for you. Why did you go for a GA second time rather than sedation again?
Because the sedation made it painless, but nonetheless it was a long time in the theatre and so I went for quick and easy. I also think the idea that you could shout “ stop please” is a bit of a fantasy
Not at all for me. I was wide awake with very light sedation. I heard them all chatting about the upcoming Platignum jubilee, I was asking what was happening next,they were answering.I did have to stop them 3 times when they started the rti line for flutter as it was very painful and I was scared . In the end I threatened to get off the table! I was then given fentanyl,I heard them say that, and it was ok then .
So definitely shouting 'stop' is entirely possible.
I had my ablation under GA over 5 months ago. It was successful, recovery did take up to 4 months though. Read the advice that Bob has provided and follow this closely. All will be OK, I am very sure!
I had an ablation under sedation at Barts. I was not offered GA and as an anxious person, I was terrified! Nothing to worry about and staff were excellent. Hope all goes well for you Xx
Good news it went well for you. I certainly feel in good hands at Bart’s.
I’ve had 2. At Coventry uchw. Don’t think they offer GA ? Well I wasn’t offered it. If I have a 3rd I’d like GA TBH
Every one is different !!
I had it done twice under general anaesthetic, The ablations were long … and I was discharged the next morning . I live alone.
Other people have good experiences and results.
I hope your heart is now behaving itself. Thanks for your reply
It behaves most of the time in a persistent AF way. Kept mainly under control by drugs. Apixabsn, Digoxin snd Losartan .
I hope you have a calm andsuccessful outcome!!
You will be exhausted with all these postings!!
I went into the Cath Lab at 8.30, you'll be bowled over by the high tech, I was under ga in a minute or two and woke up in my bed in the cardiology ward at 10.30. not allowed out of bed until after 6pm lying flat was hard. Not even allowed put pressure on your legs to use bedpan. I also got the 'big pee" while lying flat. That wasn't particularly good because they literally thought I couldn't need to use the bed pan again. Other than that, I had no problem once I got decent pain relief for my back They had triggered and mapped. And then off I went into afib on my own and they had to map and ablate more and cardiovert me out of it. The recovery was slow as I was so tired. I was back at work a little over two weeks later but still taking it easy. It's just over ten months of blissful nsr. Best of luck to you for a great outcome.
So glad you are in NSR. I can relate to the problem of lying flat as I have knee arthritis and find it hard to lay flat without support under the knee. I’m sure they will sort that for me. Thanks for taking time to reply
Thank you. Just have your pain relief sorted beforehand with the anaesthesiologist. Best wishes. Oh. I forgot to say I take magnesium taurate to help my heart behave. I stopped it a week before the ablation cos I needed it to misbehave on ablation day. No idea if that's why I had a mad fast episode on my own or not but it may have helped. It was just my logical brain saying that I needed my usual episodes to happen during mapping.
We never want AF but it certainly worked well for you on the day. I’m so glad I don’t have to stop Apixiban. I always feel so vulnerable when I’ve had to stop before say dental work etc
I literally had to hold the Xarelto the morning of. But they used heparin during the procedure anyway. Back on Xarelto as soon as I could have a drink of water after the procedure. My EP is just the most relaxed, chilled man. He was standing in the room next to the Cath Lab as I was walked in, leaning against a worktop, in jeans and hoodie, arms and legs crossed, chatting away like he hadn't a worry in the world. I took my cue from him and just stopped worrying. I must admit when I was asking him about what I would do if I went into afib rvr after the ablation, he was looking at me like I had two heads.
Mine was for atrial flutter (AFl) in Glenfield Hospital at Leicester and was pain free. It was my first stay in hospital, GA and "op" so I was very anxious, but needlessly as it turned out - as you will surely feel, too, once you wake up from your procedure. Going "under" is not pleasant, but it's so quick as not to be a concern and I'd not be so fearful of a GA a second time. Unlike for AFl, an ablation for AF has a "blanking period" so called because the doctor "blanks" their interest in worrying overmuch about any recurrence of AF for about four weeks after the op as these will be caused, if they do happen, by the general inflammation from the catheter ablated areas as they heal.
Steve
I had an ablation almost two years ago. It was non eventful. My heart has been out of Afib since. Good luck to you
I had mine four years ago under sedation. It was fine and interesting. You will find the staff are very caring. I had a Cryoablation . Every time I got too lively I was given more sedation which was excellent and I sailed through. I had a lot of bruising afterwards and lots of reactions which were absolutely normal. Do read the fact sheets and DO rest for a good long time. Amble around rather than get back to a normal hurried life.
My ablation made an enormous difference to my quality of life .I was exhausted with it all before and got my oomph back afterwards. I still get high jinks from my heart if I am stressed but it doesn’t last more than a few hours and I am so glad I had it done. Good luck with yours.
I had my ablation done in May at Barts. Fantastic. No bad effects from procedure nor GA. I was awake and fully recovered within a few hours. As BobD says read the fact sheets. Currently still in the blanking period I think with occasional ectopics and even minor short periods of afib. but generally in a much better condition than I was and improving.
Thank you. So good to read. Keep doing well
Had 3 ablations last year all under GA. Wouldn’t do it any other way I have been Afib free for one year one month. It is a gift. It was also a tough year last year but doing well now. The ablations gave me new life
Hi Nan1 - I had my cryoablation at the Harley St Clinic and sedation wasn’t an option. Just as well as I am a terrible fidget so would have opted for GA given the choice and the medical staff would have been grateful.
The whole thing was hilarious - my room wasn’t ready, my anaesthetist was caught in traffic and arrived only 15 minutes before my slot and I found the Cath Lab experience …… interesting. There was this big room, full of machinery and the central ‘slab’. I was told to ‘disrobe’ to get me wired up and prepped, and lay on the ‘slab’ At that point all the staff came in and I was introduced to them all. It was a cross between that dream where you are naked at a party and being on the set for Rocky Horror.
When in recovery and coming round from the GA I could not stop shivering, but a space blanket and a bit of determination sorted that out. To crown it all, an hour or so later I was tucked up in my room, talking to my husband when I felt a sudden warmth. I looked under the covers and there was blood everywhere. Major panic as initially they thought it was a groin bleed, but no, somehow the catheter in the back of my hand had dislodged. Cleaned up and panic over, I had a nice supper, a great nights sleep and tootled home the next morning.
The prospect of the ablation scared the pants off me - but it was absolutely the best thing I could have done. I wasn’t told to rest up and take things easy - although I did for a couple of days. Then back to normal and no fizzy heart !
Hope all goes well for you.
I agree with BobD -- all three of my ablations were easier and less stressful than a root canal or tooth extraction! I had general anesthesia for all and really didn't feel a thing. I didn't enjoy lying flat on my back for 6 hours after the procedure(s), but hardly anything to complain about.
Glad to know they went well for you. Hope the heart has behaved itself since the last one
Yes, thank you. Best of luck to you!
I had an ablation one month ago under general anesthesia. It was uneventful. I was tired, had a little brain fog, and had a headache on and off for a couple days but other than that I was fine. Drinks lots of water afterwards to help get the anesthesia out of your system.
Five ablations all easy peasy. Read the fact sheets mentioned above and continue to live a clean and moderate life. Don’t expect to come off the tablets.
Thanks DKBX. I thought maybe I would be able to come off beta blockers but not Apixiban.
Does a GA mean you have to stay in overnight. Think I've had sedation and been able to come home same day
Hi, yes I believe so but I don’t mind that. I think I might feel a bit vulnerable coming home same day
I’m on waiting list for a Pulsed Field Ablation at Bournemouth hospital, was told I would be put under and an hours procedure. Very anxious about it too. Good luck with yours Nan
Best of luck with yours too. We will both be fine I’m sure. Reading the comments are very encouraging
That’s exciting that you’re getting the pulse field ablation. Just listened to an EP podcast talking about how that’s the future! Low risk and better outcomes
Yes I’m lucky, apparently only 4 hospitals in the U.K. offer Pulsed Field Ablation. Fingers crossed
Hi Nan I had my first ablation September of 22 and was told I would more than likely need a second one because I’ve been in afib for 7 years before being referred to an electrophysiologist. It was done under general anesthetic, and everything went very well. The only pain I felt was in the groin area, where they cut to insert the catheters. I definitely would recommend general anesthesia. I hope this helps with your decision and best of luck.
I had a Cryoblation at London Bridge. I couldn’t believe how quick it was, I woke up in recovery less than an hour before I went down to theatre. The amount of high tech monitoring and amazing team gave me so much assurance….
Hello! I’m your girl!😊
I had my ablation at St Barts last Tuesday under general anaesthetic and it was a really excellent experience.
The staff were wonderful and the EP so skilled and clearly knowledgeable.
The huge room was a little daunting though, but only because I wasn’t expecting so much equipment and so many people!
I didn’t know a thing about it until I woke up three hours later.
You probably are, but be prepared to have to lie flat on your back for ages afterwards. I had to for six hours but that’s because of the entry site still bleeding. Trying to urinate in a flat position with a bed pan, was a little tricky!
I was kept in overnight and discharged in the morning.
It was very successful (of course only time will really tell) but I’m so very glad that it’s done!
I can’t praise them enough!
I told the EP that I’m on this site and he was pleased about that and holds it in high regard!
Since Tuesday I have only had six short runs of ectopic beats, bruising of course and a tightness around the entry site. Really fine otherwise!
Oh the sore throat went after two days too.
Good luck and please keep in touch Nan! 😊
Oh that’s brilliant news and thank you for replying and giving me the details. I will certainly keep in touch as to how it goes as it is helpful for people awaiting the same. You keep well and also keep in touch
😊
Everyone is different and there are many examples on here of slow or difficult recoveries, but I’m not sure that many of those who have routine and good recoveries take the time to write about them and so here’s mine as a balance having had an excellent experience.
I’ve had 2 RF Ablations for typical (Right side) Flutter. Both under Sedation. Not sure I was ever offered a GA nor whether they actually offer it at QE Brum. Very straightforward and enjoyable experience (I’m always interested to see what’s going on and like to chat with staff if possible) excepting on the 1st when it got uncomfortable every time they did a burn and thinking it was normal, I just grinned and tried to bare it. Finally I had to say it was getting too much and they apologised, gave me more sedation and I drifted off and it was absolutely fine. My experience is that under sedation they will absolutely listen to you and give more sedation if you ask and no-one should experience discomfort.
On my 2nd ablation, they did 26 “burns” and I didn’t feel one of them.
On recovery, as my 1st procedure was early afternoon I stayed in over night. Not being a member of this site until after the 2nd ablation, I was not aware of any of the recommendations from here nor about the “blanking” period and just followed the advice of the hospital leaflets and discharge notice to avoided lifting heavy objects or vigorous exercise for 5 days. Once given the ok on my groin healing on day 1, I went for a gentle 2 mile walk, carrying on going daily and increasing to 5 miles by day 5.
7th day after the procedure I did a 5 mile run with HR an average HR of 150bpm followed by 1 mile training swim. The next day I did a brisk 15 mile bike ride with HR maxing out at 147. After 10 days I was out doing an 8 mile trail run event.
Knowing what I know now, I will however be taking it a bit easier following my likely next ablation (although my AFlutter is cured, I have developed AF in my left atrium), but it does go to show, I was able to get straight back to normality within a week of the procedure. Fortunately I was relatively young at 54 & 56 and reasonable fit and healthy pre procedure. We are all different and come into the procedure from different circumstances, but I’d strongly suggest that nobody automatically assumes the worst but instead consider their own circumstances and listen to their body and adjusts their recuperation expectation / strategy accordingly.
All the best for your procedure and recovery.
26 burns. My goodness that sounds horrendous. Good to hear how well you recovered. You clearly keep very fit. Best of luck if you do need a further ablation.
It does sound horrendous, but I’m fact, even under sedation, there was no discomfort and recovery was extremely quick. It’s likely that recovery would have been slower under a GA and the risk of complications would also have been higher. I will always opt for sedation over a GA unless recommended otherwise by my EP or his anaesthetist.
Wow. Do you think you did too much too soon after your ablation? And did this cause you maybe needing to have another? I’ve had my 2nd one ..rf type 7 weeks ago and I’m not sure when you try and push it ie gym / running that I love
Can never be sure but it’s only supposed to be something like 90% successful on first attempt. However, I’ve just checked back and actually, the exercise I quoted was for my 2nd successful ablation and so despite the exercise, the procedure was successful. The AF I now have is a different manifestation on a completely different part of my heart. I must edit my original post to reflect this.
Ha ok hope you
Get sorted soon then. I’ve had 4 af attacks in the last 2 weeks. 6 weeks after my 2nd rf ablation.
I understand that episodes during the blanking period are not unusual but should die away gradually if the procedure was successful. If you can identify the trigger, then avoid in order to improve chances of success. Maybe ease off the exercise for a while if that seems to be impacting it.
Hope it all goes well.
Thanks. I was running 5 days a week before that ablation. Nothing fast 8m miles
Only did a few light bike rides 4 weeks after the procedure and bang back in af. It’s so annoying. U getting many episodes?
At the moment, my triggers are very specific, when I run, if my HR goes much above 140, then BOOM - next stop 215! I’m pretty much asymptotic and only realise when checking my old Garmin watch (Fenix 2) with only a chest strap HR monitor. I’m sure however if after 10 minutes I’d not noticed, it would start to impact me. It’s therefore generally been each Sst am when running with club and my grp is slightly quicker than ideal and I slip into a higher HR than intended. Last few weeks been on top of my HR during running and so no episodes. With cycling I don’t get my HR as high. I seem to have quite an efficient heart so even at a max of 140, I can average around 9:00 min miles on flat, slowing markedly for the slightest of inclines. Hilly circuits become extremely slow!
I personally think you’ve made the correct choice.? Iv had 3 ablations and the first one was under sedation and it was awful.! I was groggy for 48 hours and felt rubbish.
My second two were under GA after insisting!! . and it was a breeze. And weirdly enough I recovered quickly compared to GA.!
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