Diagnosed with paroxysmal AFIB April 2022 but probably had it 2/3yrs. Episodes ordinarily lasted 12 - 24 hrs and 12 months ago were once every 7-10 days but in the 3 months leading up to my ablation on 19/12/2023 had increased to twice per week.
Until yesterday i had been 9 weeks free of episodes since the procedure. I felt a slight twinge in my chest so carried out a reading on my kardia device and it said NSR HR 65bpm. I checked again 15 mins later and i had a reading of possible AF 59 BPM - that made me panic and immediately followed up with another reading which had me in NSR. All subsequent ones had me in NSR. The twinge in the chest was not my normal symptom for an afib episode. Normally i feel light headed and dizzy.
Any thoughts on this? I know that in the advice notes there is a piece about the blanking period and episodes in the first 3 months not being uncommon. I did read an article online sometime back taken from a medical study which suggested that a higher percentage of patients who suffered episodes during the 3 months post op went on to have unsuccessful ablations than those who had not suffered any episodes. Thoughts?
regards
Chris
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Yellowarmy
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Hi Chris, I think you’ve answered your own question in some ways, your understanding is the same as mine, I will be 11 weeks tomorrow post procedure and had an episode at day 6 and another episode over the weekend just gone. I managed to stay positive about the early episode as it was so soon in the blanking period but the latest episode has got me a little more concerned. Having said that plenty of members have reported settling down months after the procedure so we have to stay as positive and hopeful as we can.
I do think you can bring a panic on when you put the devices on, just looking can raise your heart rate momentarily which can look like arrhythmia to these machines, hopefully that is the case with you. My episodes were for hours.
Good luck and best wishes
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I read a recent study that showed recurrence of AF within the first 4-5 weeks following ablation procedures signifies nothing, so this month or so can be treated as a "blanking period" (i.e. where the EP can "blank" his interest in recurrences). After this time, the chance of eventual failure was shown to be linked to the level of recurrence. That said, I have lost the link, but one other major study showed that most patients who had had these early recurrences in the first few months were still free at one and two years.
A Kardia reading of possible AF might well have been a run of ectopic beats (i.e. inconsequential palpitations), which can create strange feelings and an erratic pulse. I get this a lot and feel much as I do when is actual AF. The twinge you describe is something I had after my ablation and still get along with other chest discomfort under my left rib area and even into my back and arm. An MRI showed that all was physically well and that it was of no consequence. I'd mention yours to your arrhythmia nurse, but I expect you'll be told all is well and looking good for success.
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Wait for 3 Months blanking period or not after ablation?
Blanking Period Question
Blanking period over
has anyone had an ablation that worked well without problems in the blanking period.
Ablation recovery period
