AV Modal Ablation

[Foreverfibber]

Has anyone had an AV Nodal Ablation and what has your life been like since?

[mjames1]

I haven't had one, but from what I've read on forums like these, most who needed it, are very happy with the procedure. I'm sure you'll be hearing from people soon.

Maybe you've already considered it, but I'll just throw out after looking at some of your previous posts, that some have had success with mini maze or hybrid when multiple catheter ablations have failed.

If this is interest, you might then consider the Wolf Mini Maze performed by Dr Randall Wolf in Houston. If you do a search, we've had a number of posts about it.

Jim

[BobD Volunteer]

Being pacemaker dependent isn't all that bad and of course slightly missleading. You wouldn't actually die if it failed as the heart will spontaniously beat on its own, albeit very slowly so you would be quite ill.

Many people find the Pace and ablate procedure a revelation but do be aware that whilst the paced ventricle will provide regular heart beats inceasing energy levels etc, the left atrium may still want to carry on missbehaving and some people are still aware of this.

[Foreverfibber in reply to BobD]

How long have you been pacer dependent? Yes, the ventricles self pace between 20 and 40 beats without being paced. My question and concern is with the AV nodal ablation you will lose your atrial kick which adds about 15 to 30% to your EF. With an already compromised EF that could have a substantial impact on quality of life.

[BobD Volunteer]

I have a PM but never had the AV Node ablation. Your question best answered by your consultant.

[Foreverfibber in reply to BobD]

Sorry, your initial response led me to believe you had an AV ablation. It appears due to a paucity of responses that AV nodal ablation is not very common among the group in this community. It appears this procedure is reserved for someone who has ran out of option and is at the end of their rope with only a few years left to live. At least, that is my take on it. I am certainly not ready for the Big Kahuna in the Sky having just turned 72 and full off life still.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Foreverfibber]

I'm slightly nearer the end but had my PM three years ago.. I do not think Pace and ablate is for people about to die! PMs have a life of around ten years before they need changing on average. That would put me past my best before date anyway. Lol 😁

[Nomis21 in reply to Foreverfibber]

I've had an ablation plus AV ablation with pacemaker all done in one procedure, ongoing health issues followed, I'm 53 and hopefully with a lot of years to live.

[Alphakiwi in reply to Foreverfibber]

I was given a dual lead PM 3 yrs ago with the object of having an AV node ablation. I was told by the cardio team here in NZ that the more common atrium ablation wouldnt work on me because of the dilitation of my left atrium. It has almost double the volume of usual, probably from a lifetime of heavy athletic activity.After being passed over to a different cardio i never was given the node ablation and just have been continued on being tried on many horrible drugs. So node ablation may eventually become mmy only choice. Hope you get the answer and all the best.

[Hardjuice]

I’ve had pace and ablate my story is on here

My heart didn’t like it moderate left ventricular impairment

Caused a few issues

Had another lead and upgraded pacemaker yesterday that’s a story in itself

So extra lead

A concoction of drugs and I’m hoping to now get into a better place

Prior to pace and ablate I was grafting walking and only the fact drugs were not keeping my heart rate down anymore that I reluctantly jumped on the pace and ablate wagon

Over 12 month since pacemaker went it and the promise of coming off all drugs apart from

Edoxaban

Now on more drugs and a different path

[SingingT]

yes, I have a pacemaker and have had an AV node ablation. It has been a great success for me. My quality of life has been increased remarkably. I had my ablation last November and have not had one day since where I have been too ill to carry out planned activities. Before the procedure I often had to cancel appointments with friends and planned trips to the theatre or concerts.

It may be that you don’t get many replies because those of us who have had an AV node ablation are out there getting on with life and don’t have time to come to this website. I know I don’t visit as often as I used to. Sorry folks……😁

[reinaway in reply to SingingT]

Snap!!!

[Shemac52]

Not sure if a pace and ablate is a good idea for me.

I was given 3 options in a 6 min appointment with EP.Stay with medication, 3rd ablation or having a pacemaker put in ( which I have had for 5 years already) and ablate.

Wanted my decision there and then no discussion as the appointment was 2 hours late. He has put me on the list for another ablation if I don't want it I can cancel.

[Koladog]

l had pace & ablate last June. While in hospital I had a stroke. With AF we are at risk anyway. My rehab is amazing & quality of life despite stroke is so much better. If I have AF now I don’t feel it. Life is worth living & I make the most of every day - visit granddaughter who lives in Washington DC regularly using travel assist to help. Lots of help out there grab life with both hands

[DKBX]

My cardiology team at Lovelace Heart in NM calls P&A the definitive fix for Afib, flutter, and atypical flutter.

They prefer (probably insurance prefers) to use it when other simpler (cheaper for insurance??) procedures no longer work.

If you’ve been offered P&A, take it.

[reinaway in reply to DKBX]

I agree every time. I did and have never looked back since it just takes the nerve to do it!!!

[reinaway]

I had the Pace & Ablate procedure in 2022 after years of troublesome PAF which was ruining and running my life coupled with being dreadfully painful and debilitating. Having tried all the drugs I could stand and uncertainty of general ablation working I went for the last resort of P&A. All I can tell you is that after an initial period of my body getting used to the new way of living it worked for me. I am now only taking an anticoagulant and blood pressure drug. I am AF symptom free and able to plan my life instead of constantly having to cancel things. However time was running out for me at 84 and I had to grab every opportunity I could. Good luck whatever way you choose to go.

[Foreverfibber in reply to reinaway]

Happy to hear that you regained some stability in life since your nodal ablation. I found a doctor in Texas who does complicated cases with great success. He treats patients from all corners of the world. He is anti nodal ablation except as a very last resort. His name is Andrea Natalie. I’ve been in contact with him and I am in the process of scheduling a consult. He’s my last hope before I bite the bullet and get my node ablated.

[ian16527]

My mother had it done, but she never really prospered as she had a couple of heart attacks previously, and had heart failure. I also feel that they set the pacemaker too low at 60 BPM, as she was much better on 70BPM. Perhaps with the Heart Failure she needed a higher HR.

On the other hand. I know a person in their 50's who has suffered from irregular Heart rate and AF for years. He had a cardiac arrest and had a defibrator implant 10 years ago, but now has had a pace and abate and he is doing very well, back to work etc.

[MummyLuv]

there are many success stories on pace and ablate, please look into mini maze at the same time and consider which approach is best for you. Why are you being advised pace and ablate? Is this due to failed ablations? I can’t see what country you are in but US, Japan and UK have experienced mini maze surgeons

[mjames1 in reply to MummyLuv]

I think the OP is from the US per previous posts. I therefore recommended the Wolff mini maze (WMM) in Houston as an alternate to a another catheter ablation.

Jim

[Foreverfibber in reply to MummyLuv]

The lack of skill on the part of the EP is driving this. He has been pushing it since I’ve being seeing him

[MummyLuv in reply to Foreverfibber]

Yes your EP can’t do a mini maze you need a cardio thoracic surgeon, most EP’s have no knowledge of surgical ablation which is hugely disappointing as it should at least be explored before moving to pace and ablate

[Eliza1]

hi yes I have had a P&A and it was the best thing after 3 failed ablations and a host of drugs that made me ill. Wish I could have had it done before all the treatments I went through!