Cryoablation and recovery so far - my experience

[NewOne2023]

Hi everybody.

Just wanted to share some info about my current recovery. This is more of information/personal experience post for someone waiting or considering ablation. But if you have some tips for me feel free to drop it.

It's been 5 months since my paroxsysmal AF diagnosis, male 41. Changed my lifestyle drastically (weight loss, healthy diet, no alcohol etc.) and had some short episodes again in Decemeber even though I was on daily meds.

I had my cryoablation done on Tuesday (4 days ago). It lasted just under 2 hours and even though they told I will be sedated and maybe awake, I was out like a light even before the EP started anything. I woke up just as they finished everything and they settled me in my room. Now, before the ablation I was relieved to know that in our country (Croatia) they are doing ablations under sedation and local anesthesia rather than GA. I wanted to be awake because the concept of putting me forcefully to sleep with GA really scared me for some reason.

But in the end I was asleep the whole time. Later the next day I spoke with two women who also had ablation the same day as I and they told me that they were awake and basically felt the procedure, not the catheter, just the ablation. And both of them said they did felt the procedure and it was uncomfortable at times although as soon as they told the medical team they can feel it, they would crank up the painkillers and it would really help. So in the end I was glad I went out during the procedure.

After the procedure I was fully awake in less than 40min in my room with sore chest and feeling alright in my head. The soreness in my chest was really a first time feeling, kinda like a sunburn but on the inside, really fascinating. It was more of a discomfort rather than pain. As the hours went by the chest discomfort subsided by 60-70% and later in the evening the groin pain and burning kicked in but as I undestood that was because of the stich. When they removed the stich next day, the burning in the groin almost completly went away.

In total I was in hospital for 3 days. Came in on Tuesday early morning, had the ablation around 10am, stayed the whole Wednesday and on Thursday after ecg, blood work, bp and standard check ups I was released from the hospital.

So now I'm home resting. Just woke up, having my cup of coffee and laying in couch. If I walk a bit too much, cough too much or smile too much, I can feel my chest is telling me slow down. So I'm being carefull. In resting I barely feel anything. My groin is slightly swollen and heavily bruised in all colors but no pain and it was expected to be like that.

Prior to my ablation I didn't have an episode since early December. My EP told me after the ablation that when they went (with catether) from my right atrium to my left that I went into afib but that was probably expected and I was asleep anyways so didn't noticed anything. I'm in NSR since I woke up 3 days ago but since I was in NSR for the last 3 months, I don't feel any difference in that regard.

My heart rate is raised since the ablation substantially, around 80 in resting but as I know and read, that is to be expected.

All of this is my personal experience and everyone has a different one probably. A guy who was with me in the room and had the ablation right after me, was feeling sick for the rest of the day, and his right leg was kinda numb for two days. After two days he was all good but just shows that we all react different and that ablation is a considerable medical step although doctors are regarding it as a routine procedure. The EP told me that quite a few patients need a second ablation to be af free for long time but that for some even one can do magic. From my experience, if it comes to needing to have a second one, I will do it, but will insist to fill me up with enough fentanyl to go to sleep again :D.

And an interesting moment while the EP did our morning check up i n the room yesterday before the release. When he saw my age and the age of the guy I mentioned earlier, he turned around to bunch of other doctors who were with him and said 'It's really bothersome to see much more younger patients with afib than ever before'. Just something to think about.

So, recovery time now with some work time on my laptop in the couch.

If anybody wants to ask something let me know.

[Buzby62]

Great update and very similar to my experience, except for the 3 days in hospital, here in UK it’s usually out first thing next morning and some leave the same day. I had the stitch removed early next morning and discharged. That was 3 months ago today and my review is in a couple of weeks. I was told with the groin a lump like a large broad bean is ok and if it’s like a small egg to seek advice. My broad bean disappeared after 5 weeks. Don’t be tempted to do too much even if you feel ok for a few weeks.

Best wishes

PS, members may be interested in the fact you are only 41, ticking the show date of birth box on your profile only shows your age and not the date.

[NewOne2023 in reply to Buzby62]

Well, they did tell us to get ready and leave our beds because new patients need the beds but in the meantime we had to wait for 2 hours in the hall to get our release papers. Haha.

I've just updated my bio, tnx.

[Nan1]

Good to hear your ablation went well for you. Take good care during your recovery period

[RepublicofFlaxpool]

Good to hear. I had cryoballoon 9 days ago as a day case. Minimal bruising (took Arnica). Mainly slept for 3 or 4 days! Now gently dog walking. Taking it easy for all us sinners!

[NewOne2023]

I noticed some light headaches last two days and I'm not sure if they are because of the ablation or just half laying/sitting in the couch while resting and due to bad neck posture. Also my resting hr is constantly around 90, so around 20bpms more than before ablation. But from what I've read, that's to be expected.