Further to my post a few days ago where I described my disappointment at slipping back into ‘Possible AF’ just 10 weeks after my third ablation, I have now seen my EP.
He analysed the print out of an ECG and feels that I am now experiencing atrial tachycardia rather than af and that it is worth doing a fourth ablation to treat the new rogue signal which he thinks is located in the left atrium. He assured me that this procedure will probably be less arduous that the previous one as the signals from my heart are organised and regular in places, indicating that the previous work he did has had some success.
I would be very grateful to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience as I’m feeling very demoralised and despondent at the prospect of yet another ablation.
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frankiec5
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Thank you for your message - I am sure many of the Members will offer you advice based upon their own experiences and provide you with some reassurance. However if you would like any advice or a chat, please contact the Patient Services Team: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
After my third ablation in 2008 (for AF) at around two an a half months I went into A Tach which was cardioverted successfully. Over the next few years I had a few (can't remember but maybe five) occasions when A Tach came knocking another two DCCVs. Finally in 2019 my EP decided to do a fourth ablation for A Tach and told me he found four sites active. Fine since then though I did develop 2nd degree block for which a PM was inplanted in 2022.
Thank you Bob. I had hoped I would be offered a CV instead of a fourth ablation but I’m reassured that your fourth ablation was successful, at least for a while.
I hope I can avoid the pacemaker route but I guess that will be the inevitable next step if this doesn’t work.
Not necessarily. The PM was nothing to do with controlling rate, merely due to some "Odd pauses" observed durng a routine holter. It is a safety net set at 60.
Hi frankiec5, if it helps I can offer my own experience.
Sometime after my third ablation I went into persistent tachycardia, which in fact felt worse than being in AF. I thought it worth exploring the option of a fourth ablation as the meds weren't helping and I was desperate for possible relief, my quality of life being zilch. I ended up going to a different EP in a different Trust (our county only has cardiologists, no EPs) who thought he could offer the possibility of success, and as it turned out the fourth ablation did the job.
That was in 2017, and apart from short bursts of PACs I've been AF free, which is wonderful and something I don't take for granted. I now only take anticoagulants, no other meds either.
The support I've had from this forum and the information I've gleaned from the other people on here and also from the AF Association has been invaluable, which is why I still read it every day and came across your post. I hope my experience goes a little way to help. All the very best, Kate.
Thank you so much for your reassuring post. It gives me some hope that maybe I, like you, will be fourth time lucky. I would love to be free from af and all the side effects of the medication I’m taking at the moment. Thank you again for your positivity and encouragement.
I had my 4th ablation 3 days ago. I was in permanent atypical flutter since my last ablation in May 23, although I felt ok with an average bpm of about 90. My EP told me he found a “rogue circuit” and after fixing it I immediately went back into nsr. He also touched up a few of the previous scars to try and block any new circuits forming. So far so good (early days) but I have recovered very quickly, and average bpm now 63. Go for it!
I too am waiting for a fourth ablation in exactly the same circumstances and I took am extremely demoralised at the prospect esp after three ablations in 20 months, none of which worked, lasting an average of 5months each. Amiodarone is working brilliantly for now so I'm hoping to put it off until later in the year. I just don't fancy feeling cr#p for another six months 🙄. Let's hope we both have a good outcome this time. Best wishes xx
I didn't have any "success" until 5 months after my third ablation. I can identify with the despondence. I've certainly had spells of that. I had tachycardia after the 2nd one and had to be readmitted afterwards. Took quite a while to settle.I am now in NSR but if I went back into AF, (some would say when rather than if) and if I was offered a fourth ablation, I'd take it. I've had 8 months now of nsr. First time in 20 years. I couldn't be more grateful to the cardiologist and EP for giving it a shot...and it really was a long shot. But what a result.
As I say, although having 3 in on year was a very stressful experience, I would do it again.
Hoping that won't be for a while yet. 🤞🏻
Hope this goes well for you. It sounds like a touch up procedure and it sounds like there identified the issue. Keep us posted.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. It really helps to know that there are so many people going through the same struggles - physically and emotionally.
I’m so pleased that you’re in a good place at the moment. Long may it continue.
Hi Franckie, your left sided flutter has most likely been caused by your repeated ablations as when you fix one arrhythmia another tries to sneak through and that is atypical flutter in the left atrium. A catheter ablation for atrial flutter is very successful in most cases. I too had three ablations and was then plagued with flutter. I went on to have a mini maze however and it also fixed my left sided atrial flutter. Good luck with your decision.
I really need to see that the 4th ablation will be the one that will solve the afib and atrial tachycardia because that will give us hope, it will charge a lot of us here with the strength to carry on, to not give up.
That’s great to hear, especially as a friend of mine has just expressed her concern that I’m having too many ablations and that they clearly don’t work!!!
Thank you so much for your encouraging post. It came at just the right time!
As promised, here is an update on my fourth ablation which I underwent in Manchester two days ago.
I really wasn’t looking forward to yet another procedure but it all went smoothly and the EP told me that he was pleased with the outcome. He is determined to sort me out, and for that, I’m very grateful. He gave me a full debrief of exactly what he had done but I’m afraid it was too technical for me to understand. But I do remember that he said he had used pulsed field ablation this time.
I spent one night in hospital but am now happily back at home. I have the usual very sore throat and lack of energy but no problem with the wound in my groin and no headache. At the moment I’m in NSR with an heart rate of around 55 and I’m just resting. I don’t intend to do anything which might jeapardise my recovery. I asked for Lansoprazole in case I have a repeat of the nausea I experienced last time and I’m back on Bisoprolol and Ramipril though I’m hoping that the dosages will eventually be reduced again so that I can regain some energy.
So despite several friends urging me not to undergo yet another ablation, (not the best confidence builder!) I am very grateful that my EP was prepared to give it another go. And all I can do now is be sensible, follow instructions and pray that this time really was was fourth time lucky! 🤞
As promised, an update on ablation number 4 which I had on 14th February.
I enjoyed two weeks of NSR and a steady heart rate between 50 and 60 bpm. All was well until yesterday when my Kardia suddenly recorded ‘Possible Atrial Fibrillation’ and a heart rate of 146 bpm. Devastated doesn’t really cover how I felt! I can think of no reason for this sudden occurrence - but I guess that’s the nature of this dratted condition!
I’m in touch with my EP’s secretary and waiting for his advice. Meanwhile, I’m trying to think positive as Bob always urges us to do but it’s difficult after so much disappointment over the past three years. Two cardioversions, four ablations and endless changes in medication and I feel I’m no further forward. Sorry for the negativity Bob! And positivity and encouragement would be much appreciated
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