AV Node Ablation

[Beavers]

Has anyone had an AV Node ablation where the AV node is ablated and the pacemaker is then incharge of keeping the heart pumping? Any pros and cons about this procedure?

[Mazza23]

I have had mine done 2years no problem I still have AF but not symptomatic had the pacemaker put in then the ablation 5weeks later. All under local anesthetiser

[SingingT]

yes, I had the procedure last November and haven’t looked back. I was very symptomatic when in AF and didn’t tolerate medication. I now only take Apixaban. I’ve not had to cancel any meetings with friends etc since. We’re all different, of course, but if your medics think this is best for you then go for it. A no brainer for me at 77yrs old.

Sorry this is a very cursory response but I am just off to the airport for a holiday in Spain and can look forward to it without worrying about AF at all.

Best wishes T 😎

[Golfer60UK]

Good morning, Yes I had the procedure two years ago and now take apixaban for the blood thinner.

No problems and now back to normal activities.

It has made a substantial difference to my daily lifestyle

Go for it

Best of luck

Dave

[Eastwick]

yes, it completely changed my life for the better. No more a fib that I can feel. Now on my second pacemaker, first one lasted 8 years and the say this one will last 10!

[CDreamer]

I had the pacemaker implant (CRT) in preparation for P&A - changed my life so that I didn’t proceed with the Ablation of AV node. My only regret is that it was not advised earlier in my AF journey.

[TenorJK]

Had Pacemaker July 2020 AV node g May 2022 adj in June 2022 still fine checked every year and all ok (86yrs old) Good Luck

[DawnTX]

I had mine in a year and a half ago first, they fit the pacemaker which I have a unique one one of a kind long story. they had no pacemaker for me. The point of the AV node ablation is because the hearts natural pacemaker is giving out wrong ructions by ablating or blocking it yes, your pacemaker is in charge to keep you pumping the way. It should otherwise most of us end up with tachycardia or bradycardia, which are just words to say too fast or too slow. Half of the things you will be told by some people isn’t really necessary for you to know, my doctor is a teacher and taught me layman terms to make it less complicated. He also had me stop looking at my numbers unless I was an emergency status, but even then I have 24 seven monitoring on my pacemaker my doctor will know before I do if things start to go awry. The purpose of blocking the AV node is to stop further damage of your heart. My ejection rate originally was in the 40s and heart failure. It is now in the 70s which for people my age is good even without a heart problem. He wanted me to stop looking at numbers because they fluctuate constantly depending on what you’re doing, and you pretty much freak yourself out. My suggestion to people these days to get out of your head about all of this and live your life. The more you pay attention. The more you are going to feel every little twinge. He also reminded me how many other parts we have in our body that can act up not everything is our heart just because we have a heart problem. Many times it can be gastric point is the poor Hart gets blamed for everything because your head just can’t get past it. You will drive yourself crazy and your doctor. I have an oximeter I might look at if I’m feeling really lousy, but even then I get surprised that my numbers are right on where they should be remember we are all very different even though we all have a fib or flutter I had no idea what I had going on inside of me , and it’s extremely rare according to my Doctor Who kept saying I was unique and I thought he was just teasing me. I think a lot of people need to stop being so wrapped up in having a fib or a pacemaker. Think about how long it took for our doctors to learn what they have and it’s a constant learning for them . My doctor and probably mini EP even have IT degrees because of the new equipment. We can’t possibly think we can know everything that they know about our heart. Why not just enjoy your life it’s not unusual to fail flutter or a fib even with your pacemaker, what the pacemaker does is keep you from having further damage to your heart, but yes, yoi will still been told that could be things. most of the time I trigger it by doing something silly like over eating. Recently, I did have a bad boat where my flutter just would not stop and not that it really hurt but it gets to after a while. When I have these issues now, the majority of it is my anxiety, and my EP has addressed it keep things simple. It’s good to learn, but don’t overdo it. sometimes the doctors forget to tell us something because there are so many of us these days for example that you are going to still feel things. That scared me to death until I found out that’s normal. If something makes you nervous don’t ask us call your doctor as I said we are all very different cannot compare each other. Best of luck. I have no regrets and cannot believe how normal I feel finally FYI, it took almost a full year to heal completely. It’s nothing you can see or really feel but when you’re really healed, you’re gonna notice the difference and how much better you’re feeling. Most of the time I forget all about my problems now that I have a pacemaker. I think this is what we should all strive for feeling normal.

[Beavers]

Thanks to all who commented on my question about AV Node Ablations. I’m traveling so my cardiologist put me on Tikosyn and Metoprolol for the next 6 weeks. When I return we’ll look at the numbers and heart activity to decide what’s next. I don’t want to stay on a BB and be limited to a HR of 60-70 bpm so am seriously considering an AV Node ablation. It was discovered that my pacemaker lead needs to be replaced so that would have to happen first. Any comments are greatly appreciated!