I'm having an electrophysiology study and possible ablation in 10 days. I've had a study before but they couldn't set off an irregular heart beat. I've been on Flecainide since 2019 and it was doing its job but I'm getting breakthrough episodes maybe 3 a year but debilitating for the 30/40 minutes that they last. I have to stop my Flecainide today and really worried I'm going to have have an episode. Even the cardiology nurse said 10 days was a long time for it to be stopped. Has anyone stopped it for that long before an ablation? Last time I had to stop it for 3 days. The consultant suggested the ablation rather than increase the dose. Not sure what I'm more worried about, stopping the meds or the actual ablation having listened to the nurse read out the risks.
Ablation and Flecainide : I'm having an... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Ablation and Flecainide
I guess they are stopping the Flecainide to assist them during the ablation procedure.
As you have eluded to they need the heart in AF to do the work.
Don’t worry about getting AF between now and your procedure by not taking the Flecainide as you will be Cardioverted at the end of the procedure.
Remember all the sage advice you have no doubt seen before and make sure you take it easy for at least 2 weeks afterwards.
Pete
Pete, I did not know that . Do they have to induce AF to do the ablation ? How do they do that ? Currently my AF is infrequent thank goodness it’s unlikely to perform on the day without provocation
I asked the same question of my EP and he said don't worry about it we can ablate whether you are in AF or not. Not sure if they induce it but they have very clever mapping technology
Thank you Karendeena you are an absolute star
Yes certainly in my case (I have had 7 ablations) they did and in each case they then cardioverted me to Normal Sinus Rhythm at the end of the procedure. They have ways of inducing the AF.
In my last ablation (2017) they had state of the art mapping technology but I believe they need to have the chaotic rhythm visible to see where to ablate.
Mind you I am no expert, I do suggest, armed with your new information, that you ask the EP on the day to explain to you exactly what the procedure comprises. The good ones are only too pleased to engage and explain.
Pete
Thanks for the response Pete. I will ask at my clinic appointment whenever that is down the yawning waiting list
My episodes used to last 36 hours with a fast heart rate, really distressing. I couldn't continue this was and as the medication wasn't controlling the AF my EP said the only way forward was an ablation which I had in March this year. It was successful and as far as I know no AF episodes since (I also had flutter which they ablated at the same time).I was terrified of the ablation and felt the same as you when told the risks! I couldn't see myself going through it but thanks to my lovely friends in this group glad I did. Yes, I was scared and nearly jumped of the trolley but kept thinking I like my holidays abroad and was too frightened to think AF might kick off on a flight.
The risks are relatively rare and I was obsessed with the oesophageal fistula as this can occur up to 3 months post ablation, I worried unnecessarily because I did have indigestion problems but this is also to be expected post ablation and they treat you with a PPI to reduce stomach acid while you heal.
I am so pleased I had the ablation as I have been symptom free ever since, long may it continue. You will be fine ❤️
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