If I am suitable, I’m worried about the length of time laying on my back as I have arthritis in my spine & hips, some who have had it done mention having had sedation?
I thought for your first ablation they don’t like to sedate you.
Any advice on what to expect on my first visit ie will they offer me sedation or say I’m not suitable, I’m 73.
Whether you have sedation of full GA (general anaesthetic) depends on the EP and hospital. Personally I prefer GA but I had sedation for my Pacemaker insertion and remember little of it,
Hello Hilary,
I can’t offer advice about lying on your back, though I am having an ablation in a couple of months and am not looking forward to that part either. I’m having sedation too for the first ablation, which is a cryoblation. I was told the first are usually all sedation but if you require a GA, I think there’s usually a longer waitlist. Recovery is easier after sedation I believe.
Yes, I had sedation and I agree I think recovery is easier. I do remember some of it but must have been knocked out as it seemed to be over in a short space of time but a I was in the Cath Lab for 4 hours including prep time.
I hope that’s the same for me too. All the best with your recovery Karendeena. I have been following your journey and hope everything works out well for you.
Thank you. Seem to be doing ok. Get tired a bit more easily but to be expected it's only just over a week. I am usually 100 miles an hour so finding sitting still a challenge. I went for a short walk the day after I came out of hospital 🙂
Hi Karandeena,
Try and take it easy 😊
Please can I ask ( and sorry for jumping on the thread) but did they ablate both your flutter and afib at the same time? I only ask, as I have both as well and I haven’t spoken to anyone yet about it since I’ve been put on the waiting list.
Thankyou,
Hi Theresa, yes they did both. Please discuss this with the consultant. There was a lady who came in the day after my ablation, she had her first procedure in November for AF and then had to come back in for the ablation on flutter that they missed. She had to go through it all again.
I am so pleased my consultant did this as he says "I got two for the price of one!"
Hi Karendeena,
That’s such good news! I have a feeling I’ll be mentioning it and reminding them when I’m on the table 😳 Apparently I won’t see the EP until the day, but I think I have a pre op, so I’ll remind them about it then. I also have atrial tachycardia as well thrown in for good measure when I get an episode, so hopefully they will be able to tackle a ‘3 for1’ for me 😃 I’ll still mention it again on the table though, just to make sure.
All the best to you and Thankyou.
thanks Teresa156, I’m getting confused with sedation & GA.
When others mentioned sedation I thought they meant GA, thanks for clearing that up for me.
Hope your ablation goes well ❤️
Sedation can be either conscious or unconscious I believe. I started off conscious because I was relaxed and was fully awake when they inserted the catheters ( by the way I never felt a thing when they did this). I ended up in conscious sedation but think that's because I kept waking and felt uncomfortable. If your hospital is the same they will make sure you are not in pain. I was pleasantly surprised how quick it seemed even though it was a long process as they located another arrythmia they ablated at the same time
Hi Hilary, I was also worried about how I would cope with the lying flat as I have a metal fused thoracic spine due to degenerative arthritis and scoliosis, arthritis in my neck, lower spine and hips - can’t get a lot worse! I had a GA and a big dose of anti sickness meds because I have reflux and react badly to anaesthetic. As a result I was so woozy I never noticed a problem with my back etc at all, but did have pain in my neck later as a result of two CVs during the procedure. Make sure you emphasise the problem as they will not want you shifting about or getting stressed by discomfort. Best wishes ❤️🩹
Recommend you read the pamphlets o the AFA website about ablation and Recovery from ablation too as they may throw up some questions you would want to ask - or ask on here before your appointment.
Good Luck
I had my ablation in Liverpool. They used GA in 2019 so ask them if they still do if they decide you are suitable. Lying still on the back afterwards is challenging but you will get through it.
I am still in normal rhythm after 5 years so well worth it.
Hoping for the same result. Had my ablation last week and been in NSR since although my heart rate is a little faster at the moment than it used to be
I've had 2 ablutions, both under sedation rather than GA. I found it quite an interesting experience. On the 2nd my back started aching so I signalled the nurse who was looking after me. A quick short of morphine in the IV catheter and it was an even more interesting experience. If you flag up your concerns before the op, I'm sure any risk of pain can be managed.
I've had 5 ablations, 4 of them with sedation as the hospital found that best for them. However, you do need to lie flat on your back after surgery for about 4 hours as they will have cut into your vein and you have to wait for it to heal.
Hi Hilary, I have just had my ablation after a long time debating and waiting. Not sure how your hospital works and what their protocol is but I wasn't given a choice.
I was given sedation and it was my first ablation (radio frequency), I am hoping I don't need another 🙂 My discharge papers did say 'unconcious sedation', although I do remember some of it. I think they knocked me out when I started complaining.
Yes, you do have to lie flat for a few hours afterwards but I was allowed extra pillows and my upper part of the body elevated by the bed as I suffer with neck and shoulders. They really made me comfortable and I think it is more to do with the leg wound so as long as you keep that straight and still you should be ok.
If you do have sedation make sure you ask for extra pillows for your head whilst they are doing it, I did. Once they sedate you you will be so relaxed you won't care ♥️
I hope you are recovering well, thanks for the advice about the pillows I will certainly be asking for extras.
Hi, yes almost 2 weeks and doing well. Aches and pains have gone so I can only assume that my heart wasn't functioning properly prior to the ablation. I have been walking every day since I came out of hospital and I am going shopping tomorrow.
I have had a few blips with some acid reflux and aura migraines (I am still getting these) but the arrythmia nurses confirm what BobD, Jean and others have said, that they are due to the transeptal puncture in the heart and will settle eventually. No one seems to know why they occur though, very strange.
I’ve had 4 ablations - 2 sedated and 2 under GA and all at your hospital. The staff and hospital are absolutely amazing - they will really look after you. The hardest part is lying on your back for so long afterwards but you’re so sleepy that you just drift in and out of sleep 😴
I honestly have no preference over GA or sedation - GA was given when they were ablating more complex areas. Either way is fine as being sedated, you’re hardly aware of anything. You will be very well looked after….
I wouldn't have thought you'd have the option to have it without any kind of sedation......... I certainly wouldn't. Recovery time is longer with a GA and I think it may affect when you could get it done, as they would need an anaesthetist available.
I had my ablation done under sedation and local anaesthetic. I was ok. I was worried about lying on my back all that time, but they give you a pillow in the cath lab, which I had to ask for and in the ward afterwards and the time went quite quickly. You have to lie still for about 3 hours afterwards, but you can move your arms and head etc, so you can look at your phone, read a book etc. It’s not as bad as you think it will be. We all worry about the unknown, so the wait is worse than the actual procedure. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Good luck.
Hi! Everyone WOW I didn’t expect to receive so many replies.
Thank You! all for your invaluable advice & support, I have taken it all on board.
It’s very much appreciated you taking the time to share your experiences, my mind is more at rest knowing what to expect.
Thank You! all again you are all stars.
The two information booklets to read are on the following link
heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Hope these are helpful, best wishes.
When to call an ambulance? My first big nighttime Afib episode - did I over-react?
Off to see an EP for the first time..
GA or Sedation? Cryoballoon Ablation or RF Ablation?
I am two days after my ablation procedure for afib and a flutter. 
Ablation under sedation? Had really bad experience with pacemaker insertion and sedation. 
