Travel abroad for Afib Ablation

[SwAbl1970]

Can anyone tell me about traveling aborad for an afib ablation?

[Cliff_G]

I had my first ablation + top-up in Bordeaux in 2002. They're very used to foreign patients. Obviously UK to Bordeaux was a single short flight. Don't know where you are thinking of.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Cliff_G]

saulger can you help this person?

[saulger in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean. Hope you are well.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to saulger]

Yep, still alive and kicking. 😊

[JamesB007]

Hello Mate,I had my ablation in 2017 in Bangkok, Bumrungrad hospital, performed by Prof. Kunlawee, one of the leading global expert in this field.

I was also lucky because the hospital acquired a new mapping system, Cardio insight, state of the art. Prof. Kunlawee worked in the USA for decades especially LA and performed countless ablations throughout his career. The service was impeccable. Like a 5* hotel with hospital "attached".

Cheers

[sdweller in reply to JamesB007]

That’s interesting, I have looked into Thailand for this… so it sounds like the ablation worked for you obviously? Can you talk about the costs to you ? Did you have Thai Insurance or did you pay out of pocket? I hope I’m not prying into your private life, but any information is so helpful!

[JamesB007 in reply to sdweller]

Sorry for the late reply. Was on a ski trip.The approximate cost were USD 30K including 3 days post procedure, in a single spacious room. All was covered by my insurance (international insurance, not Thai), (the hospital has agreements with countless global insurance companies and I never had to deal with the insurance issues myself. All done by the hospital). Post follow up every 3-6 months also excellent.

And yes, it was successful. No AFIB, though I get my regular palpitations, mainly PACs but I learned to live with them.

Cheers

[sdweller in reply to JamesB007]

That is a great story, very cool good for you! I’m seriously considering leaving the US… Insurance is ridiculous and costs in general and we’ve wanted to travel the world in a more permanent basis anyway. Being able to have access to top medical for Afib is the only thing missing and it seems like your experience solves that issue. I knew they treated it but nice hearing about your ablation!

[sdweller in reply to JamesB007]

by the way… you may know this already but I get PAC’s also, but much less as long as I keep my potassium levels up, which I do with low sodiumV8 or coconut water daily. My EP at Cleveland Clinic told me to do this and it works! Getting the potassium from supplements is not as effective as the V8 or coconut water.

[saulger]

November 2022 in Tokyo with Dr Ohtsuka. This is a variation of Dr Wolf's procedure that is done in Houston TX. Many Canadians have had it done in Tokyo since I was there. The procedure is said to be harsher on the body but kinder on the heart. The scarring is done on the surface of the heart and not inside the heart, as in a catheter ablation. I have been in NSR since the procedure and it was life-changing for me at 76. Total cost about 15,000 GBP in 2022. I am available to answer any questions.