Ablation

[Brianboru]

Hi friends

My Cardiologist has just suggested that I consider having an ablation.

How exactly does an ablation work ? I have seen this treatment mentioned here before .

[Buzby62]

Hi, have a look at the information booklets and videos on this link.

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Once in the AFA website you can also navigate it from the Menu button, the more you read the better.

Best wishes

[Brianboru in reply to Buzby62]

Many thanks Buzby62. Will get some serious reading in !

[Rainfern]

There is so much out there about cardio ablation and some excellent explanations on the AF Association website. I suggest you also hunt out the patient information sheets here on preparing for ablation and what to expect.

Here is my anecdotal and unscientific take on ablation, which I underwent 6 months ago and made a good recovery from and I’m currently back in NSR. Ok, so we sometimes get these rogue cells playing up that interfere with our steady heartbeat and create arrhythmias. These rogue cells have a tendency to hang out around the pulmonary veins where they join the heart. Don’t ask me why, they just seem to like it there. So what a good EP (Electrophysiologist) does is create a barrier around the rogue cells to stop them getting out. A catheter that contains and is connected to all this state of the art equipment is passed from groin to heart and the EP carries out a series of tiny burns that over the next few weeks creates scar material. This should keep the rogue cells in order but they sometimes find a gap or jump the fence because they’re crafty little things with a mind of their own. Should this happen the EP will try to repair the fence with a second ablation.

Good luck making your decision, get yourself informed and keep asking questions!

[Brianboru in reply to Rainfern]

Thanks a lot Rainfern, well appreciated.

I recall now the cardiologist mention “cauterising” .He said the process was straightforward and I could go home the same day … Hope they get the rogue cells first time!

[Rainfern in reply to Brianboru]

Remember too that many people with successful first ablations gradually disappear from the forum so things are a bit skewed towards those who’ve had 2 or 3. Welcome to the forum Brian - you’ll get so much help here, everyone’s so helpful and kind and were a great source of support through AF and treatments.

[Buffafly in reply to Rainfern]

The ‘Ladybird’ version - not meant to be a insult ☺️

[Rainfern in reply to Buffafly]

😂🐞

[Buffafly in reply to Rainfern]

I thought it was a great description and worth saving for future use if we could, makes it all seem quite fun - I’m sort of seeing a little gang of goats escaping……

[Rainfern in reply to Buffafly]

Exactly! Mine are rogue sheep, but goats are closer to the mark - those eyes - slightly more threatening ….

[Sweetmelody in reply to Rainfern]

I second everything Rainfern says.

And will add: An ablation goes to the physical source of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and corrects it—at least attempts to. The odds are 50-50 for a first ablation according to my EP (you can find different statistics elsewhere). So if you’re in the 50% who revert to afib, a second ablation is sometimes needed, with statistically a success rate of over 90%.

For me, with a second ablation combined with a Watchman implant (2 months ago) holds the potential for staying afib free because the rogue cells have been deactivated and the potential for staying off all drugs except baby aspirin (protocol for a Watchman) for the rest of my life, with a hugely reduced, almost negligible, risk of stroke.

It seems to me that within cardiologist circles there exist two differing approaches to afib. One is to control the symptoms with drugs that reduce the risk of stroke. The other is to go to the physical source of the problem (rogue cells) and correct it, thereby eliminating the need for drugs and reducing the risk of stroke. I see it as the chemist’s view vs. the electrician’s and carpenter’s view. I have sided with the electricians and carpenters (i.e., the electrophysiologists).

All of that means, Brianburo, that I applaud your decision on getting an ablation and wish you the best of luck on your journey.

[Brianboru in reply to Sweetmelody]

Dear SweetMelody, Many thanks for this reply. It is exactly what I was hoping to read even though I was prepared for more Cons than Pros with this treatment. I like the way you described the treatment in such practical terms rather than in medical ones which are often beyond understanding ! Well done x

[Sweetmelody in reply to Brianboru]

Glad you found it helpful. It’s an oversimplification, but I’ll take actually fixing a problem structurally at its root over just trying to control it with pharmaceutical nostrums anytime. The important chemistry part comes, I think, in choosing what to put in your body for nourishment (e.g., lots of vegetables!) and what not (e.g., sugar and alcohol—except in true and minimal moderation.)

Be sure to go to the link sent by another forum member on the recent report by a European cardiology association in which ablation, not drugs, are now heralded as the first-line treatment of choice for afib. There is a shift going on in cardiology away from lifelong drugs toward the curative powers of ablation. It’s a new era of prophylactic stroke prevention. Some cardiologists are on board, some not. Changes in the medical field can easily be compared to turning the course of a battleship.

Be sure to read that link. If I can find it, I’ll send it to you.

[Sweetmelody in reply to Sweetmelody]

here’s the link from MikeTheOike

Hot off the press!

Essential reading for anyone considering an ablation.

escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-..

[1969hippy]

Surely your consultant should have explained?

[Brianboru in reply to 1969hippy]

He did explain but I am looking for people’s past experiences of having an ablation.

[Buffafly in reply to Brianboru]

In that case you should head a new post with that!

[Mrsvemb in reply to Buffafly]

Be kind. That remark was not necessary.

[Buffafly in reply to Mrsvemb]

I meant to be helpful, sorry if it came across as critical 😔

[Rainfern in reply to Mrsvemb]

Buffafly is enthusiastic and kind, just a misunderstanding, they happen here sometimes 😊

[Mrsvemb in reply to Rainfern]

Yes I know that these things happen, I have been a member for more than 6 years. It just came over as a bit rude especially with the !! marks

[Brianboru in reply to Buffafly]

Buufafly, I will update my post come the event !

[Brianboru in reply to Buffafly]

I will share my experience when it happens. Let’s hope hope it is sometime this year and not next !.

[MWIC]

Hi Brian - had mine 15 December 23 - procedure no problem - but uncomfortable and I was a bit wiggly though it at times ( few curses made by the Consultant performing at times 😂). Stayed overnight and home next day. Felt great for a week, then took a turn and had about 2 1/2 weeks of hellishness - tachycardia events and HR all over the place - spent most of Xmas day in A&E …but THEN all settled down and had no AFib in nearly 3 months so fingers crossed - awaiting follow up appointment - Would I get it done again - absolutely!! Any more info you want just ask and I’ll be happy to tell you from my experience

[Brianboru in reply to MWIC]

Thank you for that MWIC,

I am ready to take the opportunity ( chance!) as coping with the side effects of 6 different medications is finally too difficult now. It means theoretically that I can stop taking at least two of the meds. Obviously “we will see” but I am ready for any improvement.

I will update everyone after the event.

[MWIC in reply to Brianboru]

I’m with you - honestly hate taking medication but know I need some of it but if an opportunity to stop any I’m all for that - I wasn’t on anything for rate control but started me on Bisoprolol and spent about 3 months like a bloody zombie - being off that is joyous but I know this does help some people so we’re all different with different needs - best of luck and getting back to living your life ☘️☘️

[Brianboru in reply to MWIC]

Cheers MW ! I look forward to sharing the results sooner than later !