Just scheduled a PFA (pulsed field ablation) for mid-June, and was wondering if anyone might share their recovery stories - is it an easier recovery than Cryo or RF?
I had a cryo ablation in 2018, and after a couple of years of trial and error, had almost 3 years of no AF episodes on 200mg/day of Flecainide. My EP was part of one of the big international PFA trials and I've been hearing about it for 5 years, hoping my NSR would hold out for it to become available in the US. My heart must have known, because I started having episodes again just days after it passed here.
I understand it's not the panacea hoped for, but my EP (Hugh Calkins at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD) says that he thinks results may be better than the study shows. Hopkins is getting a Farapulse device "on loan" from May-July (I guess even hospitals do layaway for those big purchases 😂) which he says has had the best results, so if you had a PFA and know what device they used, I'd love to hear that, as well.
I'm hopeful, as my health is MUCH better than when I had my first ablation (I'd just had a stroke 4 months earlier - it seems my first AFib episode caused the stroke) but I'd love to hear any recovery stories.
As always, I appreciate the honesty and caring on this site.
Written by
hartbeast
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I am scheduled with Dr.Natale in a couple of weeks in Austin for a PFA. I don’t know what device he uses but he did say it is quicker and safer. I will update once I am done. He also gave me a high chance of success (probably because my afib is paroxysmal). And if I am lucky I may catch the full solar eclipse in Austin-that would be a treat!
Thanks for your reply, and I look forward to hearing about your experience! He and Calkins were two of the co-authors of the same international study, so I’d be curious to know if they decided to use the same device.
My afib is paroxysmal, too - Part of why I wanted to make sure I get it done before the beast goes persistent.
Good luck with your procedure. And with catching the solar eclipse, as well🌑🌕
Had PFA in January this year. Some background - I had 15 years of PAF brought on by high exertions during cycling, I had declined meds after a GP visit in 2008 for what I considered an occasional issue which didn't demand daily medication.
I would have several episodes each year and thought I had nearly shaken it off when I only had 4 episodes netween 2018 to 2021, however this didn't last and it became much more frequent in 2023, even without exercise, leading up to 5 days continuous following an easy rowing session in December.
Saw the GP again and started taking 60mg Adoxaban and 5mg Bisoprolol which knocked the stuffing out of me and made me feel far worse than afib which was asymtomatic. I was still paroxysmal but longer sessions of afib lasting days. I didn't want it to become set in it's ways, as afib has a habit of doing, so paid to see a consultant in January and luckily got a cancellation for an ablation two and a half weeks later. As luck would have it he was one of the few private consultants doing PFA in the uk where it was only used for the 1st time last year at Papworth hospital.
Had the ablation 25th Jan under GA and found it an easy experience. I went into the theatre at 8:45am and back in my room at 9:45am with continuous monitoring. I had some water and sandwich and left to go home at 12:15pm, even used bus & train to go home with my wife, so pretty un- eventful!
A bit of chest ache for a few days and throat & groin pain for several days but much improved after a week. Afib restarted 5 days post ablation which was stopped by higher dosage Flec100mg+Biso2.5mg am, Flec 50mg+Biso1.25mg pm after 2 days.
Gradually started rowing and weight training after one week and cycling after two weeks when the groin bruising had receded. 4 weeks post ablation I went back down to low dosage meds, Flec50mg+Biso 1.25mg am which I can stop after a further 6 weeks, however the consultant would prefer me to stay on Adoxaban for the long term but was receptive to me using it ad hoc as long as I was quick to respond if afib restarted.
Although I'm usually asymptomatic during afib I can tell if it happens, plus I always use a heart rate chest strap during cycling/rowing 4 times/wk and also have an ecg monitor so am well placed to respond quickley to afib. He did suggest I get an Apple ecg watch for that too.
So currently I'm in NSR with occasional ectopics which my consultant wasn't concerned about and am still in my 3 months blanking time.
Hi, PFA seems to be less damaging than RF but not necessarily more effective in curing AF. If you looking for a permanent cure look into the mini maze procedure. Ablations seem to only provide relief for a while. For a lot of people PACs and AF always seem to come back at some point.
I had PFA in September of 2021 as part of Advent Trial here in US, after several years of incapacitating Afib bouts. It was an overnight procedure in hospital probably because it was relatively new. I believe the actual procedure was less than an hour. I was up and walking about within a couple of hours and believe I could have come home.
I was on a small dose of Flecinide for a week and have had no recurrences since. I am 70 plus female with no comorbidies. I have not been on any medications of any kind since then and have to my knowledge had no AFIB. I have an Apple Watch set to notify me if AFIB is detected and I also use a six lead Kardia ecg device once in a while.
The study was completed two years after I had my ablation, so I did not know until 2023 which of the procedures I had received . You can look up Advent Trial to see results.
Obviously I am satisfied with the results. My cardiologist agreed that I could stay off medications as long as I keep a small supply of Flecinide and Eliquis available as pills in pocket to start immediately upon an episode.
I should note that I have had PACs since I was in my early 20’s mostly due to caffeine sensitivity. I still occasionally get a few. In the past, those PAC’s became a prelude to AFIB. I found quitting caffeine and red wine lessened them and I am suspect they were precipitating AFIB.
I participated in Advent Trial in September 2021 and had PFA. It was uneventful, relatively short procedure with overnight hospital stay. I have had no recurrences since.. I am on no drugs and monitor my heart with Apple Watch and Kardia. Prior to this I had Afib !for 7 years, infrequent at start and progressing. Drugs were difficult and heart rate of 200 plus was incapacitating. I would do PFA again if needed. Good luck on your procedure.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Post ablation recovery
Ablation recovery 
John Mandrola: Is the Field of Electrophysiology Stuck?
Pradaxa Ahead Of Scheduled Cryo Ablation 
