Hi all, my dad developed persistent AF this summer and was also diagnosed with Heart failure. I have put all his details on my profile. He is also anaemic and gastroenterologist has said its probably because he is on Apixaban after proper consideration and procedures. I understand that success rate of catheter ablation is 50% in those with persistent AF and some studies show that recurrence rate of AF after ablation those with anaemia is high.
I am confused about what benefit ablation gives to those patients
where ablation was not successful or where it is initially successful but AF returns. Does anyone know whether the AF would be as bad as it is now or will the ablation have some sort of benefit like may be it only returns occasionally (paroxysmal rather than persistent).
The post procedure recovery seems very difficult when chances of success are low so it would really help to understand this.
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priya_uk
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An ablation could potentially help his heart failure. But because he's persistent a fib you might have better results with a surgical ablation versus catheter ablation.
Some here have had good results with Mr Steven Hunter, at keyhole heart clinic or Northern General Sheffield .
Per your bio, your Dad is 72 and his heart rate and blood pressure are being controlled.
Ablations often differ in outcomes due to many factors.
I think it would be best to insure he is under the best care possible from an experienced cardiologist and/or an Electrophysiologist (EP). In consult, they can give the best advice on the benefits/success rate of an ablation in his particular circumstances.
Thanks. He is already under the care of EP but difficult to get another appointment soon so I thought if anyone on this forum has experience of unsuccessful ablation, they might shed light on whether it's still beneficial or partly successful.
I think you need to define ‘unsuccessful’. I don’t think there is benefit unless there is a successful outcome and with AF it cannot really be partially ‘successful’.
My fist ablation made things a lot worse, I ended up in acute cardiac ward. 2nd (yes I still went back for a 2nd as I couldn’t live with the AF as was) gave me 3 years free of AF but I was 10 years younger than your father’s current age and quite fit at that stage, apart from AF. I had a hard time following ‘successful’ ablation as the drugs and the procedure exacerbated another condition which left me in far worse health so last 10 years have not been great but I now have very low AF burden 2% following pacemaker.
On the other hand, I know personally of at least 3 friends who had ablations in the late 70’s, recovered well and had no further episodes to date - approx 12-18 months. All were very fit, playing golf or ex-runners/cyclists with no other conditions and excellent lifestyles - good sleep, excellent nutrition, exercised regularly, never smoked and very moderate alcohol intake.
The longer I am a member of this forum (11 years now) the more I realise there is no ‘typical’ patient, we all have so many different variables that it’s almost impossible to advise , you have to rely upon the resources available and accessible to you, in your area and mostly for AF, very unfortunately, in UK that often means seeking private consultations and knowing the ‘right’ questions to ask of your doctor.
What does your father think? How symptomatic is he? Is he prepared and fit enough to undergo an invasive procedure and recover?
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