Pulsed Field Ablation

[kwaka1]

Watching this website since February 2024 after diagnosis of AF. Also found, following a fall, a CT and MRI was a Pituitary adenoma. First comments on these pages.

Cardioversions (2) mid year both failed in less than a week. Referred to an Electrophysiologist who found Atrial Flutter as well as Atrial Fibrillation. Atrial flutter ablation treatment undertaken on September 18th. Since then I have been in what I call "reasonable" sinus rhythm but with regular feelings of not being "right". Dizziness when standing after sitting or standing too long and difficulty walking more than 10-20 minutes before tiring.

Specialist was happy with progress today (Oct 16th) and has booked me in for a PF ablation on 30th November.

My question of members who have had a RF ablation is:-

Did you have 12 months of follow-up appointments ( I have 7 appointments between Dec. 2024 and December 2025. A combination of Echo, ECG and Holter monitoring (4 days monitoring each time).

I am in Australia and PF ablation is relatively new. First procedures here in South Australia were first trialled in Jan/Feb 2023.

Any thoughts on so many appointments? They may just being ultra cautious?

Thanks.

Lawrie

[mjames1]

Are you part of a trial? That could explain so many appointments. I had one appointment 3 months post ablation. The second six months after that. And the third six months after that. Other than the usual ekg, no further testing was done, although he did mention a holter so I could go off anticoagulants, but he ended up accepting data from my home devices. Why don't you simply ask your ep, why so many appointments and tests?

Jim

[kwaka1 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim. I am not aware of being involved in a trial and only found out about the 7 appointments at reception when getting the hospital booking and info about the PF ablation (and follow-up Echo's and ECG's through to December 2025). I will follow up with them about these appointments and if I am in a "trial" field. Regards, Lawrie

[Karendeena]

I had RF ablation in March being followed up every 4 months for 12 months. Had a 24 hour holter monitor at 4 months, next appointment early December as I am on holiday in November. Not sure what tests will be done at each point but told I will be followed for 12 months if no reoccurance. I am private though. My friend who has had 3 ablations wasn't followed up at all!!

[kwaka1]

Thank you Karendeena. Sounds very similar to what has been proposed for me. I also have private health but the "out of pocket/gap" between the specialist charge and rebate from Medicare ( in Australia) certainly does mount up.