post ablation

[Yellowarmy]

Merry Xmas Everyone

2 days ago i had pulsed field ablation (PFA) at Royal Papworth Hospital under Dr David Begley.

A fantastic team and i was really well looked after. This was to treat paroxysmal AFIB which i have had for 2-3 years. Early feedback is that the OP went well. I feel fine apart from some soreness in the groin. I guess the next 3 months will be the acid test as to whether it might keep my AFIB under lock and key for the next few years.

Right up until about 30 mins before my OP i was told i was having cryoblation until the consultant changed his mind and said they were going to do PFA, which i had never heard of. He explained it was safer and the chances of success were just as good.

Anybody had any experience of PFA?

regards

Chris

[Tommyboy21]

Think it's a new way of doing things. Hopefully all goes well for you.

[BobD Volunteer]

PFA s a relatively new method, not used in all EP centres so lucky you. Early indications is that whilst reslsuts may not be measurably better, recovery may be less traumatic .

I recommend you fread out fact sheet on recevery which I shall link below shortly.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[Buzby62]

Hi, I had cryo two weeks ago today, if PFA was available I may have chosen that but only about four places do it in the UK at the moment I believe.

I suggest you put PFA or Pulsed Field in the search bar at the top of this site. There’s been a few posts on it

Good luck

[Rainfern]

Stay well, have a super-relaxed Christmas and good health for 2024. My EP explained PFA is the way ahead because there’s less likelihood of damage to surrounding tissue - and the oesophagus is safer so less post-op tummy trouble. Like most cardio departments ours is unable to find the funding just yet so you’re lucky.

[stoneyrosed]

Just saying that the 3 months after the op is the blanking period, and you may get the odd bout of AF, the real acid test is the 6 months or so after the 3 month blanking period. I think I am right on this even though you have had a pulse field ablation. All the best !

[iris1205]

Congrats! I had a PF Ablation two months ago and for the first time since 2017 I am both med free and Afib, Aflutter and Atachy FREE! Endlessly grateful. Wishing the same NSR for you! PS I did take the meds for the first month, and now still take the anti-coagulant until three months. I also have a loop monitor implanted - it was obligatory to be accepted into the trial.

Take good care!

[FindingCaradoc]

I had one of the early UK based pulsed field ablations (PFA) in September 2022, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (at the time one of only two locations in the UK including Royal Papworth) so as has been suggested you may wish to search for previous posts about PFA including mine.

Prior to the PFA I had been in early persistent AF for just over four months. The procedure was under general anaesthetic (which I anticipate yours was as well as I believe GA is needed due to something specific with the equipment) and I understand only took around an hour. Recovery for me was good, other than groin discomfort for a while afterwards. I followed fairly closely the AFA ablation blanking period advice, particularly as there was no tailored guidance for PFA at the time, although arguably I started exercising earlier than perhaps I should have. Anyway, as far as I am aware I have been in sinus rhythm ever since (I do not regularly monitor myself with a Kardia or similar as I feel it would be counter-productive in my case due to a predisposition towards anxiety).

Unfortunately I remain on anti-coagulation medication (and other meds) - Apixaban - due to comorbidities giving me a ChadsVasc score of 2, which will be 3 in under two years time.

I hope you continue to do well.