Pulmonary Vein Isolation

[farewelltoarms]

What has been the experience with pulmonary vein isolation I am seriously considering it. Risks? Results? Recovery time? I am 84 Permanent afib that no longer responds to cardioversion. The Electrophysiologist told me 70% chance for results but may not last longer than 7 months. If I do not elect to have this deterioration of afib and worsening symptoms. Really nervous about surgery but quality of life important. Managing just OK on Lopressor and eliquis. Far from perfect. Thanks to all for the responses.

[BobD Volunteer]

Many here have had ablations and some have seen the end of their AF. What I would caution is that if cardioversion does not restore normal sinus rhythm then the chance of an ablation doing it I fear is far far less than the 70% your EP has suggested. I would be inclined to get other opinions on success rates if I were you.

If you do decide to go ahead there are two fact sheets we produced which you may find useful which I shall add shortly

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[farewelltoarms in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. Had two cardioversion that lasted 1 year and 2 years. Last on only lasted two weeks. Thank you for your reply.

[mjames1]

I see you're in the United States. I would therefore recommend a phone/video consult with Dr. Randall Wolf at the Debakey Heart Institute at the Houston Methodist Hospital. He performs a surgical ablation called the Wolf Mini Maze (WMM) which may offer better results for someone in permanent afib as opposed to a catheter ablation. There is also a United States WMM Facebook Group for more information.

Jim

[farewelltoarms in reply to mjames1]

Thank you Jim.

[CDreamer]

I’d echo both Bob’s & Jim’s opinions, get a second or even third opinion. Recovery from ablation is not always as straightforward as some doctors say and if the opinion of an EP who willing to even try for you is that it’s unlikely to last 7 months - took me 9 months to feel any benefit following 2nd ablation in 2014 & I wasn’t in persistent AF.

In your place I’d look at Wolf Mini Maze / Hybrid that Jim mentioned or Pace & Ablate with RST Pacemaker. I chose the latter, never returned for the AV node ablation as PM worked so well - that was in 2018. I’ve had the occasional hiccup when I had COVID/Pneumonia/UTI and other infections but very mild compared to pre PM.

Quite right - QOL is important, especially as we she.

[farewelltoarms in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you....

[CDreamer in reply to farewelltoarms]

Typo - sorry I meant age!

[farewelltoarms in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks I got it.....

[Ppiman]

My elderly friend reached 90 this year with his long-standing permanent AF, and his heart is fine apart from some regurgitation. As we get older, so many co-morbidities can come our way including aspects that directly impact the heart, so it's hard to suggest much except to find a good cardiologist and follow their advice.

Steve