Unsuccessfull ablation

[Bluediver1]

I have been battling with atrial tachycardia for many years now and have just had my second ablation 3 days ago which was unsuccessful. I am moving towards the point of panick on whether my condition will ever be cured. I have tried bisoprolol and verapamil and neither have had any affect. I have now been given flecainide to try and see how that works. I guess I’m reaching out to anyone that may have had similar issues and it then being resolved or other ways people may have found to reduce the intensity of tachycardia. Any advice would be much appreciated as it is stating to affect me mentally as well a physically. Thanks!

[BobD Volunteer]

At three days why do you think it was not a success? It will be at least three months before your heart heals and you can tell that.

[Bluediver1 in reply to BobD]

Because the ablation did not actually take place, catheter was in the heart and they started mapping but my heart rhythm changed at that point so they couldn’t continue.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Bluediver1]

OK so aborted not unsuccessful then. Still sounds very odd. My EP foundand ablated four active AT sites even though I wasn't in any arrhythmia when I went in.

[Karendeena in reply to Bluediver1]

I find it strange they aborted the ablation because the rhythm changed, my understanding is that they can deal with other arrythmias during the process. They discovered flutter when ablating my afib so did that at the same time. I would want to know why they aborted it.

[Bluediver1 in reply to Karendeena]

In my cardiac procedure report it says they waited for ectopy or tachycardia to reappear without success - decision to stop. They also explained this to me in the ward after I came out of the theatre. Bare in mind it is not afib, it is tachycardia.

[Karendeena in reply to Bluediver1]

I thought they could induce tachycardia as well?? What hospital are you under and are you in the UK?

[Bluediver1 in reply to Karendeena]

Hammersmith hospital

[Rainfern]

I’m quite a panicky person Bluediver, especially with issues of the heart. So whenever I panicked about my Persistent Afib and worried if I would ever get better, I booked appointments with my EP who also has a private practice. Of course he couldn’t give 100% assurance but he gave me hope as we explored potential paths ahead and he tweaked medications just right too.

[mjames1]

Atach can sometimes be hard to ablate. I've had great success with daily Flecainide for various tachycardias. Don't give up. Best of luck.

Jim

[Bluediver1 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim, that’s good to know and more reassuring. Fingers crossed I have the same success with Flecainide.

[mike1961]

Why exactly did they abort ? They should be able to induce the AT - you don't need to be in it at the time of the ablation. What is your AT history ? How frequent? How long episodes? Heart rate (ventricles) whilst in AT ?

[Bluediver1 in reply to mike1961]

They aborted because they couldn’t map the areas because I went into a normal rhythm as soon as the catheter was inserted. I have heard this before from other people that you don’t need to be in it at the time of the operation but cleary with my circumstance I did. They tried to induce it but if anything it affected my heart in a different way where they then had to use DCCV . According to the cardiologist I am around 90 percent in tachy cardia and the heart rate will vary from late 80s to 120s

[mike1961 in reply to Bluediver1]

Thank you for clarifying. Keep us all posted as to how you get on from here - hopefully there will be some meaningful progress soon !

[Bluediver1 in reply to mike1961]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[mjames1 in reply to Bluediver1]

I have heard this before from other people that you don’t need to be in it at the time of the operation but cleary with my circumstance I did

Yes, it really depends on the arrhythmia. With certain types of Att, they really want you in it to ablate.

Jim

[Ppiman]

I have this, along with AF, although I am twice your age. And I have an anxious personality, like you imply you have. Mind you, feeling anxious is entirely natural in the circumstance. Panic is a deeply unpleasant feeling. But fear not, you will find a way through this, even if not nirvana. In the meantime, finding help for the panic would never go amiss. Paying for a private cardiology appointment might give a doctor more time to discuss this with you. Also, old as it is, a wonderful book called "Self Help for the Nerves" by the late Australian doctor Clare Weekes is second to none to help us learn how to control anxiety feelings and attacks.

Steve

[Bluediver1 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve, I’ll have a look into that book 🤞it takes the edge off

[Morzine]

oh gosh poor you I feel for you, the heart when it’s naughty takes over all our brains, you can’t forget it.

I would say give the flecainade time to settle in . There’s various strengths.

Sue

[Thedogsbollocks5]

I’ve had four ablations and 5 DC shocks. Tried all those drugs . Yesterday I saw my cardiologist and I’m going to have a pacemaker. So relieved

[Bluediver1 in reply to Thedogsbollocks5]

Wow that’s a lot to have had to go through’ was there any reasons the ablations weren’t successful? So a pace maker can deliver the same results as a successful ablation? I wish you all the best with the pace maker!

[Thedogsbollocks5 in reply to Bluediver1]

They said some of the cells grew back at one stage.

[satco68]

So far your cholesterol level is good you do not have to panic for AF. Try Green Apple morning and evening it works well. In addition try Gaviscon syrup if your AF is stomach related. Avoid caffin.