AF returns 3 years after 1st ablation.

[SirBeatalot]

After an ablation in May 2021 I have been more or less AF free, until now.Before the ablation I would have an episode lasting 24 to 36 hours every couple of months, recently however I am in AF, lasting various times, every couple of days.

I am scheduled for a second ablation in February 2025 and I wondered if this increase in the frequency of episodes is something that seems to happen in between ablations?

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes though I think three years free is very good after one ablation.

[SirBeatalot in reply to BobD]

Thanks, yes it has been great, but back to the drawing board for now.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to SirBeatalot]

I had three over four years before my AF was kicked into touch in 2008.

[SirBeatalot in reply to BobD]

Good to know.

[Ppiman in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob - can I ask... do you think any of your subsequent other heart issues are in any way related to having had three ablations? My son's colleague has had five and now has a host of arrhythmias (AF / AFl, etc) and has been told he can't have another ablation owing to scar tissue.

Steve

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ppiman]

I think I would be a lot worse if I hadn't had them. It is my belief that one can be prone to arrhythmias perhaps genetically. I had three ablations for AF and one for A Tachy plus a pacemaker. I do not think I have been made worse by the ablations in that respect.

One possible area of concern is the pulmonary hypertension and on 13th Nov I am having a CT angiogram to investigate possible pulmonary vein stenosis though why that would suddenly appear some 13 years after my last PVI is beyond me. I am not convinced!

[Ppiman in reply to BobD]

There's always something Bob. Always. Oh to be young again is my mantra. I'm not sure what pulmonary hypertension is but it doesn't sound brilliant. I hope you go on okay.

Steve

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ppiman]

High blood prssure in my lungs. Normal BP is fine. First tests were for clots in lungs-- negative so bit of a mystery.

[Icenae]

Since diagnosed 1997 i have had 3 ablations. 2005. Not effective. 2012 effective for 3 years. 2016. Fairly effec tive. I still get af sometimes for a few months then it calms down again. Illness or meds can set it off. Magnesium is a great help. I think the cpap may help a bit. I cant have anymore ablations says prof schilling. I am on my third pacemaker now. I toddle along ok. I am 72.

[SirBeatalot in reply to Icenae]

I have wondered about Magnesium.Apparently because I am on Omeprazole this stops or reduces the absorption of Magnesium, which may contribute to my AF, although no Cardiologist has ever said that to me

(might be me making stuff up!)

Thanks for replying.

[Icenae in reply to SirBeatalot]

I take omeperazole in the morning and the msgnesium at bedtime.

[Ppiman in reply to SirBeatalot]

Omeprazole is a PPI. It doesn't stop Mg uptake except very rarely; and when it does, that is that: the PPI has to be stopped as the Mg uptake site has been fully blocked by the PPI. Taking supplemental Mg won't help a jot in this case, only by stopping the PPI will the body once again restart Mg absorption. This is well documented online.

The problem is that stopping a PPI can be very problematic if acid reflux is the health issue it was given for since the acid returned with a bang.

I have seen no study that shows taking magnesium helps stop arrhythmias and there are several that show it doesn't. It did nothing for me. It is safe, however, so worth a try.

Steve

[SirBeatalot in reply to Ppiman]

I have to take Omeprazole due to a Barretts Oesophagus so won't be stopping it any time soon.I do understand that the Oesophagus is only millimeters from the heart and that any sort of inflammation of it might cause agitation resulting in AF.

[Ppiman in reply to SirBeatalot]

I take it for reflux - when I tried once to stop because of negative comments on this forum and elsewhere, oh what a mess I got in and it took months to settle. Of course, I ended up back on them. I was told that in some of us the oesophagus presses tightly against the atrium - including me. Even a gulp of tea can spark ectopic beats at times.

Steve

[KenRC]

I had a RF ablation & lasted 5 years with only a very rare ectopic . Then almost a day to the date of my ablation, after 5 years, persistent af suddenly resumed. I had a further ablation in August which lasted 4 1/2 days, and a touch up the beginning of October to stop the flutter that had started (& made me feel worse than af did). So far so good, just the occasional missed beat & high pulse if I forget and do too much! Good luck with yours in February!

[SirBeatalot in reply to KenRC]

Thank you, I am not looking forward to it of course, but I want to be rid of this curse more.

[listerines]

I think probably everyone could give a different answer post ablation or ablations, but for me the episodes changed after my first and second ablations. Pre ablation used to be longer and stronger episodes sometimes lasting many hours to days. Post ablation less frequency, shorter episodes and slower AFib rates. Lots of ectopics always however.Hope your heart stabilizes very soon and your 2nd ablation comes quick

[SirBeatalot in reply to listerines]

We are opposite in one respect, the frequency, mine post ablation are far more frequent.

I am hopingfor a cancellation, but not overly optimistic.

Thanks for your reply.