After 8 years of paroxismal atrial fibrilation and atrial fluter, I have finally decided to go for ablation.I am 52, BMI 26, harth structurally healthy, no other conditions. No alcohol, no coffee, relatively healthy diet.
Unfortunately zero activity or exercise.
I am only on Bisoprolol, 1.25, but two months ago I have PAC/PVC almost every day, so I have increased Bisoprolol to 2x1.25. Now my HR is around 50.
I have Bupa, so I can chose where to do it.
I live in South Yorkshire.
This is a big decision for me, so I did a homework. I did research, but I would like to hear your opinion.
Any advice where to do it?
Can you advice EP, if applicable?
Is it important to be close to home?
What to consider/research?
Any good and bad experiences?
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BojMar
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Research an EP's reputation and experience. I'm sure other forum members will give you some recommendations. Check out what new technologies are employed, including 3D mapping etc, which can lead to better results.
location is a consideration but I would focus more on the knowledge of the EP and the hospital's resources rather than the distance. Ask about the need for an anticoagulation before, during and after ablation.
Suss out about recovery time, re-treatment appointments, and potential lifestyle changes. Many patients see marked post-ablation changes in symptoms and life quality. Make sure you take time out and do nothing for at least two weeks. Recovery time varies from one person to another.
Your closest centre in South Yorkshire is Sheffield Teaching hospitals, Northern General. They have a sizeable team who undertake ablations. There is also Leeds in West Yorkshire.
As Paul says in his response research well and choose on the basis of the very best rather than just the closest, take everything into account. Of course if travel out of area is impossible for you then research those places closest to you help you make your decision. I live near you and chose to travel to London. Just my choice, not right for everyone. Good luck.
Mr Steven Hunter at Sheffield hospital performs the Mini Maze which a member here MummyLuv has had with a good result. I believe she still takes some medication. Other than that saulger went to Japan and saw a top man privately who performs the wolf mini maze and I believe he is totally better. I have highlighted both of these people in this reply to you, so they will both receive notification you are looking for advice.
Jean
PS Click on their names and read their Mini Maze stories.
Thanks for the tag Jean and hope you are keeping well my love.
I’ve been off all medications since 6 weeks post mini maze and no afib. I’m 2.5 years out now, I feel very lucky so far.
Steven Hunter is the top surgeon in the UK for mini maze procedures (usually used in UK after a catheter ablation has failed or for long term persistent afib), and he is in your local hospital. Northern General.
As you are paroxysmal you have a good chance of a catheter ablation being successful, but if not you do have another option locally.
Any advice where to do it? - Any Centre of Excellence for Arrythmias - usually in the big cities - London, Liverpool, Manchester, Papworth - check out the AFA information list or ring/email Admin for advice, they are always helpful and gave me a full list of EPs they could recommend when I moved area. Look on the BUPA website and read biographies. Ask questions - what equipment is used, how long the procedure - what type of ablation. Only a very few hospitals offer PFA ablation as yet. Cryoablation often needs repeat touch ups. RF means more time on the table but is more dependant upon skills and experience of EP.
Can you advice EP, if applicable? - see above
Is it important to be close to home? - NO!
What to consider/research? - See reply PaulBounce.
Any good and bad experiences? - You will get both on a forum like but best to focus on the positives, my first ablation made things worse, second gave me 3 years AF free. People who have had ablations and AF did not return rarely stick around on this forum.
Positives in your favour - you are young, you have ideal BMI - it would help if you could be more active as the fitter you are, the quicker your recovery as long as you don’t overdo things.
Sheffield Northern General have an excellent team and on the mini maze side the top man in the UK, way more experienced than his equivalent at Liverpool for example.
It is important to understand the minimaze type procedures ablate areas on the outside of the heart, and do not scar the inside of the heart via catheters via the groin.
With this in mind, do read saulger 's wonderfully informative Posts about his trip to Tokyo (most cost effective for him) for a version of the Wolf minimaze performed by Dr Wolf's colleague Dr Ohtsuka.
And MummyLuv found her best UK option for a similar procedure was with Dr Steven Hunter of Sheffield Hospital (although her procedure with him was undertaken in London). He works both in the NHS and privately. MummyLuv recommends him unconditionally.
And you can find background to the minimaze procedure on Dr Wolf's website ...
Dr Mcready (Brighton) saved me from a life of misery. ! He did an AcQmap ablation on me 15 montha ago. I've not looked back. I've known him for 12 years. Wonderful....
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