Ablation

[Bkb9999]

I was diagnosed with persistent AFib Dec 23 and had the usual tests Echo/24hr monitor/ecg throughout 2024. I have no symptoms but after discussing it with the EP decided to have an ablation to hopefully prevent any later heart problems. I had the procedure last week and am recovering well. The doctor told me on the day that it had been unsuccessful, as despite doing a Cardioversion 4 times, he was unable to get my heart back into a normal rhythm. He said that he will discuss it further in 3 months but, my options are to live with it (which I initially considered) or have a more complex ablation. Is this common/has anybody else had this happen?

[jeanjeannie50]

How odd, perhaps a mini maze would be better for you, that's a procedure carried out on the outside of the heart through tiny incisions in the side of the chest. Stephen Hunter at Sheffield does this procedure. I know someone who also went to Japan to see Dr Ohtsuka and is now really well or there is Dr Wolf in Houston, Texas. Could be more in the UK,I don't know.

Jean

[mav7]

It is not uncommon for the first ablation to fail, especially for persistent afib.

Try to be patient and positive until your 3 month followup. At that time, discuss other procedures like the maze procedure as mentioned above. In the interim, control your heart rate with necessary medication and take anticoagulants.

[JackyMac]

I was written off by my cardiologist and he said there was nothing more he could do for me. However a respiratory consultant I saw about something else put me on the list to see an EP. I had a phone call 9 months later, a single wire pacemaker and a node ablation and I'm delighted to say my heart is in NSR after two years. I'm taking really good care of myself and taking no chances. Perhaps that's the route for you.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to JackyMac]

That experience must have been an awful time for you. Your cardiologist should have referred you to an EP. I don’t rate that cardiologist whoever it was and find it unethical.

A good outcome for you in the end. There’s lots of good feedback on here with the pace and ablate. I think it gives us all hope and is like a safety net! Glad you are enjoying life. Good for you and thanks for sharing. Take care.

Chris.

[Rainfern]

I agree with Jean. I definitely had mini maze on the cards for if my persistent Afib returned following successful ablation. I discussed this with my EP before my ablation and at the time he hadn’t heard about the Wolfe Mini Maze which differs from the mini maze he knew about so it was an interesting discussion. I found paying for a private consultation gave far more scope to discuss possible routes ahead and be part of the decision making process even though I could never afford the private treatments.

[Rainfern in reply to Rainfern]

If you want to find out more about mini maze you could try contacting MummyLuv - I think there’s a separate forum for people taking this route.

[DavidLyn]

Hi. I have had persistent AF now for 18 months. I’ve been in hospital twice now for ablations both times unsuccessful. I am now on a waiting list for a cardioversion. The waiting list is roughly 12 months which will take me up to Nov/Dec. It is quite common apparently to take more than one cardioversion to get rid of AF, so I’ve got my fingers crossed! All the best with your future treatments.

[Mugsy15 in reply to DavidLyn]

David, it may just be the way I'm reading it, but this doesn't seem right. Cardioversion is often performed as part of an ablation procedure, to get the heart back in sinus rhythm before the patient is discharged, but waiting several months AFTER the procedure seems very odd. Cardioversion is not really considered a method of 'getting rid' of AF, it's more a method of establishing whether ablation is likely to be successful or not, and the normal order of things is to have a Cardioversion first - if the heart holds sinus rhythm, even for just a few hours, then the chances of successful ablation are considered much higher.

The approach in your case seems to have been reversed!

[DavidLyn in reply to Mugsy15]

Hi again. My apologies, I’ve got my terminology around the wrong way. Yes I’ve had two cardioversions and am waiting for an ablation.

[Sean711 in reply to DavidLyn]

12 month wait for an ablation is a very long wait. I hope it is the Pulse Field ablation?

[Jalia in reply to DavidLyn]

I rather think you mean that you've had 2 cardioversions and are on the waiting list for an ablation, which often requires more than one attempt. ( a waiting list of 12 months for a cardioversion seems very unlikely !)

[37Polly]

I haven’t had your situation but I will say that I put off ablation with various rhythm and rate medications for over seven years, hoping to avoid it, or for technology to improve. And it did. i was always told that an ablation might not be very successful as I had high tachycardia, atypical aflutter and afib.

I waited until PFA was approved in US and then went to a top 10 hospital with a super EP. It was complicated but in three hours using only PFA my EP was able to deal with all my issues and so far it all looks surprisingly successful. I had other complications post surgery but that’s another issue.

My advice: we are all unique. If comfortable, and not an elder ( I am), wait for improvement in procedure. They are coming fast.! Ablation is a $ maker for hospitals, and there are alot of us who need them. And make sure to get the best you can. Check out the success rate of your EP and hospital. If in doubt…maybe later. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

[Sean711 in reply to 37Polly]

I just had my PFA last week. So far good. One minor after surgery complication with a minor bleed from the insertion point in left groin 8 hours after procedure. But was checked and rebandaged up. This is not uncommon. Very happy with my EP.

[DawnTX]

wow I don’t like your doctor first of all. I don’t know how he was able to tell you on that day that the ablation failed. Also, he did four times with a cardioversion. I had a serious failure with my second one I was told three is They had a really hard time with me during my cardioversion as it was I don’t know why he kept going maybe others know of doctors that do that but with the I have here in Houston that is definitely not the norm nor will they ever try it again after that I was supposed to be kept and put on a medication if it had worked. Instead, it went right to Plan B, creating my pacemaker that did not exist.

no ablation is not the only answer either I would ask you to try to find a second opinion I don’t know all the particulars of yours so I can’t tell you pacemaker is for you, but they’re definitely not doing you any favors right now I feel very strongly about that. My last six months before the pacemaker were total hell including tachycardia around 200. I also have flutter atypical.

sorry there may be more to your story as to why he is doing things to you like he did but just reading you. I worry about you.