After my fourth trip back into AFib, I am moving forward with a FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) procedure.
I have been electrically "cardioverted" twice and medicinally "cardioverted" with amiodarone twice.
My catheter ablation is scheduled for mid-April.
I know everyone is different, but I am looking for advice and to hear about the experience you may have had with any type of catheter ablation so I better know the realm of possibilities and what to expect.
Others who have an upcoming catheter ablation procedure would probably benefit from hearing your personal experiences as well.
Thank you for your time!
Written by
bensteg1
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I see you are a new member. You may not be aware you can use the Search HealthUnlocked 🔍 option at the top of each HU page to find previous Posts and Replies on any subject of interest. Re catheter ablation I received the following results list ...
Thank you for your message, an ablation can offer long-term pain relief and experience of AF episodes, it is perfectly natural to feel anxious about the procedure. Preparation is key in these circumstances, so please download our patient information sheet.
It is difficult to predict a recovery period, as everyone recovers at a different rate. you will be made aware of a 'blanking period' where AF and ectopics can reoccur, but does not signify the procedure has failed. Once again, you may be interested in our information sheet:
However, if you are concerned and would prefer to contact our Patient Services Team either via our dedicated Patient Helpline or via email: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
We are happy to help, so hope to hear from you soon.
I have had all three types of ablations. Cryo ladted 8 years, RF failed, and most recently Pulse field ablation. So far so good. I had it at end of July in Boston. By far the easiest recovery. No esophageal pain etc…
I had my PFA procedure done two months ago and so far so good. Was back to playing pickleball in one week. Had a sore throat for a few days due to the anesthesia
I was scheduled for a PFA but during the procedure the surgeon determined that it was not possible due to the anatomy of my heart and went back to a “normal” ablation.
It may be worthwhile to ask your cardiologist whether it is possible to confirm your heart will allow a PFA before the procedure as it significantly increased the length of my surgery.
No symptomatic episodes of AF since the ablation so I am thankful it was done.
I've had four ablations in last five years, a cryo, two radio frequency and then a pulsed field. The latter was by far the easiest to recover from but EP said there was little to do so who knows if that made the difference? Bruising was far worse though 🤣🤣
Five months, but I'm not off the amiodarone and already getting a few glitches 🙄. The EP said he wouldn't do another though so it will definitely be my last unless I go for mini maze....😱😱😱😱Thank you for the kind words. Hope yours goes well 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you. I hope your glitches go away and you don't need the mini maze. Getting off of Amiodarone was one of the big factors in my decision. Since I am in my early fifties, the long term side effects of medications are a no go for me. I am too young for this!
I had a Farapulse PFA for AFib and new AFlutter on March 14th in Sacramento, California and it was great. It felt more like a Spa day instead of cardiac ablation because the staff was so concerned with my comfort and reducing anxiety. The procedure was under general anesthesia, so I remember being rolled into the lab, moving to the table, and having a bunch of pads placed, then I woke up in my recovery room, wrapped in warm blankets and a Bair Hugger warming device.
My EP closed the femoral catheter site with a Perclose closure device, so I didn't need to lie flat. I was able to get up and walk right away (probably an hour or 2 after the actual procedure) and ate a nice Turkey sandwich then was discharged! No issues with sore throat or nausea. No bleeding through the gauze pad at all. Total visit time was 6 hours. The actual procedure, which is timed from the first incision to when the last closure is completed was 25 minutes!
Recovery at home has been smooth except for 1 episode of fib for 15 minutes, and that was probably because it was 9 days after and I worked too much at our small farm. All clear since then except for getting tired easily. I'm happy with the results, and glad to be off Flecainide. Still have to take Eliquis for at least 3 months. Good luck!!!
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