Mixed feelings about hospital too busy to review 12 months after ablation.

[kkatz]

I am now 12 months NSR after successful ablation and experiencing mixed feelings."Reviewed without contact .No follow up planned."

If I run into problems contact them & they will arrange a follow up.

I just have a few questions.

1.I need to know what I can expect from now on.

2.As it over 2.5 years from initial echocardiogram what are the chances I will develop heart failure?

I suppose I should speak to the direct number on the letter and ask for telephone consultation or email.

I believe the reply will be speak to the Arrythmia nurses.But I do not believe they have the expertise.

Your opinions please.

[Tricia239]

Hi, well it sounds as if you’re doing well. I agree it’s always nice to know the plan! I guess it depends on your nurses but I have always found mine to be very knowledgeable and helpful. So, for me personally, they are usually my first port of call. Good luck. X

[BobD Volunteer]

Why on earth now that you are no longer in AF and firmly in NSR do you think you may get HF? Lets be positive please!.

Regarding Arrhythmia Nurses, having been the patient representative on the original BHF committee who invented the post and trialed the first 34 nurses thoughout UK I can assure you that they are educated and trained to a very high standard. In fact at the end of the two year project we asked consultants if given the option they would rather have another registar or an arrhythmia nurse and 28 chose the nurse.

[kkatz in reply to BobD]

Thankyou Bob.Straight to the point.I absolutely admire & respect the Arrythmia nurses who have seen me through the last couple of years.

I just wonder has the the 2.5 years in persistent AF done any damage.

I still struggle with inclines.

And get left side pain in ribs & upper left back particular after excersion.

I have mentioned to Arrythmia nurses in past & the reply was doesn't sound AF related.Mind you could have got lost as I did ask a few things and not on easy telephone conversation sat by a bowling green in Portugal.

[Fullofheart in reply to kkatz]

If you are concerned, you could request an echo as part of the review.I was in AF for 20 years so not surprisingly this affected heart pumping and structure. Pre my last ablation (previous ones had been unsuccessful) my ejection fraction was 43%. After 6 months of NSR (first time in 20 years) my EF is now 64%. Socompletely out of heart failure category.

Hopefully, like me, being in NSR will be doing you wonders.

[Redactrice in reply to Fullofheart]

Thank you, this is really good to know. I've probably been in AF for nearly a year, and I may have as much as another year to wait for ablation. I've been wondering if it would be too late by then. But it worked for you, eventually, despite 20 years in AF. This has cheered me up. Congratulations on getting out of heart failure and into NSR. May it continue!

PS. Are you off medication?

[Fullofheart in reply to Redactrice]

Yep off ALL heart meds!!Many thanks, and very good luck to you!

[opal11uk]

I was diagnosed with heart failure and permanent A/F last year, May time, and I didn't get to see my cardio, who I haven't since in several years (had P/A/F over 20 years) however I did see a cardio specialist nurse technician and she was absolutely wonderful, I saw her every week for several weeks with her trying variations of drug combinations until she got me stable and back into sinus rhythm she then phoned me every week for another 4 weeks. She was working in close association with my cardiologist so although I didn't see him I knew that he was involved in decision making so I can't rate her highly enough. Seeing the nurse is an inroad to a cardiologist team so if the nurse thinks you need to see him she can orchestrate that. Good luck x

[Singwell]

Definitely call cardiology directly. They should offer a telephone review at the least, and there should also be a follow-up echocardiogram. I had one about 15 months after my ablation. And 2 appointments with cardiology- one with the EP 8 months after the ablation and one a year later. They're short changing you!

[Cat04]

If you can't get anywhere with the hospital tell your GP about your ongoing symptoms and ask for a new referral for an echo and cardiology appt.

[Bagrat]

As others have suggested, it is likely that the arrhythmia nurses have a better or at least equal, understanding of your condition than a registrar, who may have just joined the team, and for whom it may not be his/her specialty of choice. The nurses will also have considerable insight into the Consultant's usual response to clinical situations.

[kkatz]

Update : I have a telephone appointment next Tuesday.Take it or leave it no alternative!