I am about to discuss ablation procedure suggested by my cardiologist , with staff at the proposed hospital. I have read that a catheter will be fitted in the groin area as part of the treatment.
This appears to me to be a possible problem since I have a long standing hernia kept successfully in place and safe by a belt that I forget I am wearing !! Has anyone had the same possible problem in having an ablation done.
I am guessing that the catheter is a one time insertion operation and allows it to be used again if necessary ( I have read that some poor souls have a second or third ablations before having some success ?
I would add that I am also wearing my second pacemaker without problems although the medication I take is now doing more harm than good I feel, due to the bad side effects they give and are lately affecting me badly
Any comments will be gladly accepted
BrianBoru
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Brianboru
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It begs the question, Is the catheter removed after the first attempt at ablation ,or left in place for future attempts. I see some people have had 2/3 procedures needed done …..
The equipment is removed and new catheter inserted for each subsequent ablation if required. I certainly wouldn’t want that equipment dangling from my groin ongoing!
Ah , thanks Pete I did have a catheter fitted once following prostate cancer treatment. That came out eventually. Wasn’t sure about the ablation procedure. This is a good website for useful advice !!!!
Let me try and explain a little more clearly, with the caviat that I am a past patient and have had no medical training. I expect others may add or comment on my explanation. I have had 7 ablations.
The doctors carry out the atrial fibbruation ablation procedure whilst you are under General Anaesthetic or with Sedation. For me GA was better, but others will say the opposite.
A very simple synopsis of the procedure for an AF ablation is as follows:
1. Local anaesthetic is injected into the groin.
2. A cut is made, and the femoral vein is located. A sleeve is inserted into the vein.
3. Wires are then fed into the vein through the sleeve and guided up the vein into the right atrium of your heart.
4. Once in the right atrium a small hole is made to the central wall of your heart that is between the right and the left atrium to gain access to the left atrium.
5. After passing the wires through the hole they are then able to ablate (burn) the walls of the inside of your heart. This is often around the pulmonary vein and is intended to interrupt the chaotic electrical impulses that cause the AF. This work can take several hours, my longest time on the table was from around 09:00 – 17:00.
6. On completing the wires and the sleeve are removed and a dressing is applied. Often pressure has to be applied to the wound for a while to stop the bleeding.
7. You will be asked to lay flat for around 2 hours.
8. Sometimes a second ablation can be necessary and more rarely more as in my case.
The difference for an atrial flutter ablation is that all the work is carried out in the right atrium thus avoiding the need to access the left atrium.
You would only ever need a catheter in the way you have experiences after prostrate surgery in circumstances where you are unable or it is undesireable for you to pass urine in the normal way. For me this was necessary as I could not tolerate being laid on my back for 2 hours after the procedure without passing urine and was unable to use a bottle due to mind games.
I hope the above enables you to understand the difference between the two types of catheters.
I hope I haven't scared you. I can assure you that complex as it is it is tolerable and I have no regrets whatsoever for having gone through this as now afte many years of AF I have been AF free for over 2 years.
Thank you Pete. Your explanation will help me understand more of the procedure when I have my initial discussion. My respect to you for submitting to 7 attempts at resolving the problem. !!
Thank you Jetcat. I wanted to be more informed than I was. The cardiologist had said briefly “ You can probably drive home in a couple of hours afterwards “ Didn’t fully believe that without undue worry !
Thank you for that Wilsond. I did not fully believe the Cardio. asI said and have already made a dummy run to the hospital ( miles away from me!) using public transport and my bus/rail pass ! Its about £40 each way in a taxi !
I was as open as possible medically when we had the ablation consultation. I will risk it anyway but was told the procedure was 95% successful. Just will not risk driving home from it !!!
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