Cryoablation

[Daisy2908]

I’ve just found out that my ablation will be done by freezing with sedation as opposed to a general anaesthetic and the consultant explained it may be quite uncomfortable for a few minutes. I’m trying to find the best source of information on this procedure specifically - grateful for all any help or to hear from someone who has had it about their experience. I have paroxysmal AF. Thanks in advance.

[NewOne2023]

I had cryo under sedation but I went out like a light in 10 seconds after receiving sedation. Woke up 2 hours later when they finished. The method is different from rf ablation since it uses a small baloon which inflates and it can cover much bigger area as opposed to rf ablation. The downside from what I know is that cryoablation cant treat atrial flutter if they want to do both things in one procedure. Otherwise cryo is equally successful as rf ablation for treating afib.

[Daisy2908 in reply to NewOne2023]

Thank you for your reply, good to hear.

[wilsond in reply to NewOne2023]

I had a cryo ablation for AF and they did the cti line for flutter at the same time,successfully. No flutter since

[NewOne2023 in reply to wilsond]

Well I stay corrected.

[Buzby62]

I had the same last December, It felt like I was awake all the way through it but actually 2 hours passed in what felt like 15 minutes. You don't feel much and if you do just say something and they will turn up the happy juice. Little bit of discomfort when they insert the catheter in the groin but no pain at all. All in all a really positive experience, waiting to be called for my 12 month review which will probably be over the phone and discharged. See my bio for further info by clicking my badge.

See the Preparing for and Recovering from sheets on this link heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Best wishes

[Daisy2908 in reply to Buzby62]

Thank you that’s really useful. Hope your review goes well.

[Rainfern]

Hi Daisy, by the time I had my ablation (cryo, under sedation) I felt so much part of the cardio team and so curious about the incredible tech they use that I wanted to watch it on the screen! They obviously had different ideas and as soon as they realised I was turning my head to watch they upped the dose as they need you to be very still and good! I honestly don’t remember a thing about it and didn’t experience any pain.

[Sueleen13]

hi, I’ve had a Cryoblation for PAF , I was in my early 50s, I did however have a general anaesthetic. I did write a post at the time if you can find it. I did stay in hospital overnight due to feeling faint and I had a heavy feeling in my chest which apparently is quite normal, I remember thinking it was like having an elephant sitting on your chest. Going into the theatre I remember thinking how cold it was but was that psychological I don’t no. Anyway I had no regrets , which I had been brave enough to have had it done sooner. Hope this helps.

[50568789]

It sounds worse than it is, you will be in safe hands who will do everything they can to keep you comfortable and achieve a successful outcome.

[BorderMLH]

Hi Daisy! I had exactly the same procedure last Aug, I was awake and sedated. The only discomfort I felt was brain freeze! I promise you! All I saw was my heart on the screen occasionally and I drifted in & out. I will be honest with you , I did end up with a bleed out and a complication called pericarditis, but the actual ablation was a complete success. Only until I have been poorly recently, following a hip replacement, I took myself suddenly off zapain, which gave me severe withdrawal symptoms. This has put me back in AF! So I am waiting to see my cardiologist as I just can’t see my heart going back into sinus rhythm. I am 55, I was told last year, if I do need another ablation, they will put me to sleep as they tend to be able to use much smaller tools than when you’re awake. I wouldn’t be scared to be awake again though! Good luck & I hope this helps xx

[Daisy2908 in reply to BorderMLH]

Thank you that does help a lot, they mentioned there may be brain freeze.

[wilsond]

I'm telling you this so that you are aware to INSIST on full sedation at every given opportunity, even in the theatre.I wanted sedation but it was so light it was very uncomfortable when they treated the flutter. I was wide awake and had very little pain relief too,again unknown to me. The AF bit wasn't so bad.

On my review I mentioned this ,and the person ( not my named EP) went through the report and saw I'd only had minimal of both drugs.

Would I do it again? Definitely . But with firm conversations!

I did post on this June 2022.

[Daisy2908 in reply to wilsond]

Thank you, very useful. The consultant said they would give pain relief as needed so fingers crossed.

[wilsond in reply to Daisy2908]

They soon responded with extra,and then again until I was OK. I just wanted to warn you. The care was brilliant before during and after but it took me by surprise for that part of it,I really thought it had gone wrong 😄 All the best,it's made such a difference to me xxx

[Karendeena in reply to wilsond]

I felt the burns too under sedation.

[wilsond in reply to Karendeena]

I thought I was having a heart attack

[aqualates]

I had a cryoablation a few years ago under sedation, the procedure wasn’t as bad as expected, I became aware of what was going on once as I started to shake which is apparently normal (I’d been warned that this could happen before the procedure) this woke me from my daze but they were soon round to knock me out again. The worst thing I found was having to lie still on a hard bed/trolley for 3 hours after, the pain in my back was really bad but they could only give me paracetamol which was ineffective.

[Teresa156 in reply to aqualates]

I don’t think everyone has to lie still for hours after a cryoblation anymore - I know I didn’t, but had mine in June. I believe you lie still for a short while now for the groin wound, but it wasn’t 3 hrs and more like an hour, but then as you’re recovering from the procedure, you don’t really notice it - nobody told me I had to be on my back and specifically not move.

[aqualates in reply to Teresa156]

That’s good news if it’s changed, I know they were really strict with me about not moving. They brought me a cup of tea once the three hours was up.

[Teresa156 in reply to aqualates]

That’s good!

I really don’t think I could lay flat for 3 hours and I did expect it as I’d read lots about it, so I was very glad it didn’t happen 😊

[Daisy2908 in reply to Teresa156]

Good to know thanks.

[Jajarunner]

My "HHT and afib athlete" blog has reports of all my ablations in full boring details. Search with the speech marks " to find more than you ever needed to know 🤣🤣🤣Non profit, write it as therapy 😊

[Daisy2908 in reply to Jajarunner]

Will do thank you!

[Daisy2908]

Thanks so much to everybody who has replied. It really helps with how anxious I feel about the whole procedure. Good to hear of other’s experiences.

[wilsond]

One last thing,I talked myself in and out of having it done,right up to walking into the hospital. Nearly did a runner lol! Try not to overthink it like I did! Xx

[Karendeena]

I didn't have cryoblation but RF under sedation. I did feel uncomfortable at times but they kept me well drugged up! You will be fine ❤️❤️

[Karendeena]

My RF treated both AF and flutter so expect I was lucky

[Ossie7]

Hello Daisy , my first ablation was cryo under sedation and my experience was a little different to others . However , in retrospect , perhaps I should have asked for more sedation or pain relief at the time .I felt the ‘burns’ of each vein , very much like the pain of a heart attack I believe , in my thorax , neck , even my jaw , but it only lasted the couple of minutes it took to treat each vein . Although they had to redo one so that was five ! I also got very violent hiccups when they got close to the nerve that serves the diaphragm , which was quite unpleasant . As others have said I also found myself shaking at times . So the moral of the story is speak up and ask for more sedation or analgesia ! Wishing you all the best and may it reduce your AF burden for a long time X

[Buzby62 in reply to Ossie7]

Good point about the hiccups, don’t hear that mentioned often, I had that too and remember asking if that was ok, they weren’t concerned and turned the sedation up a little I believe as the next I knew it was all over.

Best wishes

[Daisy2908 in reply to Ossie7]

Thank you, good advice!