Success! So yes, all you folks out there wondering or being criticized for multiple ablations... this was my 7th ablation. I am seven weeks post-intervention and remain AF/AT free. Also medication free for the first time in six years. Yes, I have continued the Xarelto for the time being.
My 4th PVI ablation lasted two years. Then all started back fiercely... which is why I was willing to keep trying ablations as long as they were trying a different method. I've said it myself on multiple occasions, to doctors, colleagues and friends... "repeating the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity". Multiple methods were tried as well as different lines created ( I can provide if curious) as well as a retrograde aortic approach - the sixth ablation.
I had reached daily episodes of AF and AT (with meds) of 8-10 hours at 150-230bpm. I'd tried all the meds available and Flecainide and a BB were helpful but not sufficient. I was being termed "Persistant AF" finally.
I am eternally grateful to my past EPs - who were commended by the current EP, he remarked "the prior ablations were performed well and there was not excessive scarring". I was fortunate to have the opportunity to have the last PFA procedure and am revelling in a medication free and AF/AT free life.
May you all be so fortunate, in whatever method you wish to choose! Thanks for all the support - If anyone has questions I'm happy to respond privately as well.
Best wishes for you all!
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iris1205
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The method of doing cox maze is external/surgical. But he created a pattern of scarring that I wondered if your EP was doing. For example PV isolation was originally done as part of cox maze. This is a great chart. I had mine surgically including the vein of Marshall but excluding the litmus lines as these can’t be reached thorosxopically. Eps can also do some of these lines.
Thanks for that image! Hopefully, my file folder for AF will no longer require updates... over 13 years it has become quite voluminous with research papers.
Yes, many of those lines were also done in my previous ablation (#6) which was performed through the retrograde aortic approach including but not limited to:
Left septum above the right His bundle at a distance of 12 mm. The antrum of the 4 pulmonary veins, the anteroseptal part of the LA, and at the median CTI.
Good job. I’m on my sixth; Sotalol has (so-far) kept me in NSR after a cardioversion. Nice to know there are options available if (when) Sotalol fails.
Glad for you. I am looking at ablation #4 also Watchman. My current EP at top notch hospital has said I have a lot of scarring. Prior ablstions were done at local hospital. Wonder how your EP managed lead scarring
He was impressed that there wasn't too much despite the number of ablations. I've been lucky to have excellent EPs. Good luck with #4 . At least you know it can be worth it!
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Wishing Everyone A Very Happy Christmas 
So my Question is.....
