Post ablation (1 week) and back in AFib. How often is this likely to happen over next few weeks?

[Sorre1]

Have had PAF for a few years and this year episodes became lengthier and more frequent, the latest lasting 4 weeks.

Had a Cryo-ablation last Tuesday at Lancashire Cardiac Centre and was ok for a week, albeit with a few spells of ectopic beats and a very short run of AF (30-40 seconds only).

Went on a short walk with dog yesterday morning and another today (bit longer but only slow walk and 15 mins or so). Standing in kitchen to make lunch when I felt my heart flip into AFib and it’s still there.

Its not too fast but quite erratic and although I was warned about the blanking period and chances of runs of AFib during that it’s unnerving especially as I live alone having lost my husband earlier this year.

Looking for advice from others who have had the ablation.

How likely am I to have frequent spells of AFib and if you had them too how long did they last.

I was on Sotolol but have now been swapped to Amiodarone (as of last week).

Thanks in advance for replies.

[Sorre1]

By ‘PAF’ I mean paroxysmal. Sorry if unclear

[Buzby62]

Sorry I don’t have the answers you seek, my ablation is in a few days and I watch with interest. My only observation is you may be doing too much too soon. Have you read the Preparing for and Recovering from booklets?

Link to ablation resources heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Scroll down passed the videos to Resources

[Sorre1 in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks Buzby. Yes, I read the leaflet a few days ago. It contains very good info. It’s because of the leaflet that I know the visual flashing lights I had last Wednesday and again this morning weren’t the Blackpool illuminations but a post ablation migraine - my first ever.

[Buzby62 in reply to Sorre1]

Hope the reassuring replies you had here have helped you, they have me. I had an AF episode at day 6 with no idea what triggered it. Lasted 16 hours and reverted to NSR while asleep. I had the flashing light experience just for a few hours a day or so after the procedure. The AF episode really unnerved me despite knowing it happens but otherwise the experience has been really positive, much better than I was expecting.

Best wishes to all.

[Sorre1 in reply to Buzby62]

Yes, the ablation wasn’t unpleasant at all for me too.

I’m still in AF 2 weeks later but the symptoms are very mild (rate must be no more than 100) and I can cope if it stays like this. May ring Arrythmia nurses as I have no reliable way of checking pulse rate - have a BP machine but know that isn’t accurate with AFib. I never like ‘mithering’ the professionals so usually put up with stuff for too long.

Have been a bit stressed anyway as my 13 year old dog companion has gone in for an operation on her cruciate ligament this morning. 😥

[Buzby62 in reply to Sorre1]

I spoke to the arrhythmia nurses straight away and sent them ECGs from my watch/phone. They wanted me to call again if it went over 48 hours. They have been brilliant, you should let them know.

A tip I’ve seen for checking pulse in AF is to count your pulses in 10 seconds and multiply by 6 to give you an average.

Good luck with everything.

[BobD Volunteer]

Very common. See our patient derived fact sheet . Plenty of time for lots of shenanigans yet awhile Relax stay well hydrated and above all rest.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

.

[riffjack846]

I went in and out of Afib for about 3 weeks then went into sinus rhythm. Still in NSR after a year and a half. Cheers

[Rainfern]

Afib started pestering me 2 weeks after ablation. I guess the swelling had started to go down but the scarring hadn’t had time to develop so the rogue signals got out of their cage. Because I had a low-level persistent Afib I was back with the same thing (monitored on my iwatch). I called my arrhythmia team who had me back within a week for a cardioversion and nine weeks on from the ablation I have had no Afib and just occasional ectopics. Good luck Sorre and please do take things very easy!

[Watermelon-]

I am so sorry. I know what that feels like. I went back into constant Afib three days after my ablation procedure in May. After a month of constant Afib I had a cardioversion in June 2023, and my heart has been in sinus rhythm ever since. I hope that you get back into sinus rhythm soon.

[SMRM]

good luck; hope it returns to NSR on its own. I've had that experience and the one in which the heart was shocked back into rhythm, & luckily stayed there!

[Be-still-my-heart]

I had my ablation in September and flipped in and out of AFib for about a month. Saw the cardiologist and he said nothing to do with exertion and once the entry site was healed to carry on as normal and fine to go to the gym.

The first time I flipped back into AFib I had a couple of glasses of wine (I don’t usually drink) but that was just a week after surgery.

[FSsimmer]

Hello Sorre1...Well, you could have been ME!!!...I had my ablation at Lancashire Cardiac Centre in May, and it lasted one week, then back in Afib...In fact the EP said they are only about 50% effective on the first try. I am now listed for a cardioversion. I am 68, so I am in the age range when Afib is more common, and mine has been persistent over some 2 years. Main thing is I am on tablets, and I am more comncerned they keep my rate within normal limits as I dont see much chance of them getting me back in NSR!!!...Its a bugger, but its a manageable condition. I have minimal symptoms, but not everyone is that lucky. My care at the centre when I am seen is great, and the arrhythmia nurses are spot on if you have any concerns you can always phone them...Also remember, you are still in the blanking period, so you could convert back with no issues....All the very best

[Sorre1 in reply to FSsimmer]

Thanks. Mine was done by Dr Koniari. She was lovely and explained everything but did give me the impression that the AF wouldn’t return, or maybe that was wishful thinking on my part.

I did ring the Arrythmia nurses to check about the small lump by the incision site but at that time I was in NSR. It’s ’in and out’ now all the time but it’s very early days and at least it’s not constant as it was for 4 weeks before I went in.

I’m taking it easy for now and hoping for improvement soon.

Wish I was symptom free but they aren’t too bad at present, meds are keeping the rate in AF down to around 100 (ish) it’s just the constant awareness of ectopic, AF etc that get me down.

[FSsimmer in reply to Sorre1]

Hi, well, best of luck..The HR increases post ablation anyway...LOTS of people are in constant Afib and doing just great...If they dont get you converted get them to control your rate ( those are the two main treatment approaches, rate or rhythm )...I have no issues taking the meds, but a lot of people moan. My consultant was Dr Chahil and he is fine. The whole procedure was a breeze...Keep positive. I had massive bruising on my leg and groin after the procedure but it all faded away...Feel free to ask me about anything Afib, I will do my best to help ( I was a nurse tutor at BVH for over 10 years prior to retirement, and my Afib just occured out of the blue!! )...Take care

[Sorre1 in reply to FSsimmer]

Thanks, yes I had/have a massive bruise too 😂

[Fullofheart]

I went straight back into persistent AF within 2 days after all my ablations but 5 months after my third I went in to NSR and been there since ( nearly 7months now) other than one 8 hour blip. So the blanking period can take time. Hang on in there!