It’s now been 15 months since my follow up RF ablation . There’s no doubt my quality of life has improved considerably with only 3 short episodes of AF lasting a maximum of a couple of hours . Last night , after 5 months of nothing but the odd run of ectopics , I was about to go to bed and as I went to stand up I felt that familiar sensation in my throat. I checked my pulse and it was irregular so used my Kardiamobile to confirm atrial fibrillation with a HR of 79 .
So off to bed and went to sleep after a short time but woke up needing to use the loo , I’d been asleep for roughly 2 hours . My pulse was now regular but my HR was about 95 and I felt a bit weak and wobbly. Back to bed and slept till the morning , HR back to normal and regular .
This is very different to pre my last ablation where I would have random episodes lasting up to 12 hours leaving me tired and not knowing when the next one would strike . Does anybody else post a successful ablation experience this type of AF and would you say its a sign that another procedure will be necessary in the future . I’ve read some people go years free of AF after an ablation then it strikes again and it’s the nature of the beast but does recurring AF albeit minor as in my case gradually get worse. I have to say if this is the worst it behaves I’d be quite happy and enjoy the quality of life I have had in the last year or so .
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Hammerboy
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I wouldn’t say this if you hadn’t asked but after my one very thorough ablation Dec 2015 I had no AF for nearly two years, then it began to creep back but seldom as symptomatic as before and usually shortish episodes. However over the last few years I have had episodes lasting over a week during hot weather and though generally quite slow they do wear me out. This year was very bad because it happened while I was moving house and couldn’t rest so I’m supposed to ‘be seen in cardiology’ at some point and I shal be hoping for a more positive plan ready for next summer. I still only take 180mg of Diltiazem so there is room for more medication!
so probably another ablation is on the cards for you . I was told at my 12 month review that I would be considered for another procedure if things became problematic so not discharged at this point . I take Edoxaban 60mg for risk of stroke but no other medication although on the review it was mentioned that rate control drugs may be an option before another ablation .
I guess we are all different and no one patient progresses in the same way but until there is a cure for the disease we have to accept it’s never truly behind us even after a successful ablation .
Not a limit, but I am 78, have a leaky mitral valve, asthma and metal work in my spine which all makes things more complicated and as I said the previous ablation was very thorough so the feeling is that for me an ablation isn’t worth the hassle and risk and I agree except during very hot weather 😂
Funny how it affects us differently, I have mild stenosis of the atrial valve which means I get breathless on exertion. I get scanned annually and my last echo 3 weeks ago . I have an appointment at the end of the month to see my cardiologist on the NHS where he will probably tell me it’s slightly worsened. I’m 69 and have no idea if the two heart issues are linked . I also have mild but well controlled asthma , older age sucks doesn’t it
I had the same when I stopped flecainide six months after my ablation. It started to creep back in the night and became more frequent until the cardiologist put me back on my low dose of flecainide. I've stayed in sinus ever since but am very aware this could get worse. However, after having very difficult bouts of AF the ablation has made life much better even though it hasn't completely worked for me. Good luck x
I’m curious about rate control drugs as I’ve heard conflicting stories on the benefits . During my 3 month blanking period I had an episode of AF and was told to send in an ECG to the arrhythmia nurse . She called back to say if I continued to have episodes they would consider Flecanide . I wonder at what stage they decide it’s the next step before another possible ablation and as I have stenosis of the aortic valve does that preclude me from taking this kind of medication .
I once was told to take a 100 mg of Flecainide twice a day without dilitiazem which made me really ill for a month before I stopped. So the mixture of drugs is very important as I have been fine on 50 mg twice a day with dilitiazem. Sorry I have no idea if it would be suitable for you - that's something your consultant would have to decide.
My first ablation gave me some relief from AF. On my second ablation the excellent team at Northwestern in Chicago went in both sides. One side was to do touch up on an area from my previous ablation. On the other side they did new work. I’ve been in NSR for over a year and extremely grateful. I meet with my electro cardiologist and cardiologist every six months. If I message with questions they reply the same day.
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