Atrial fibrillation & catheter ablation

Just joined forum today and hoping to hear of others experience with atrial fibrillation. 56 year old female, just diagnosed but have had paroxysmal episodes over last two years. No other symptoms - just fast pulse and pounding/fluttering feeling in your chest. Just had appt at Cardiology, Southampton and advised that due to my age and being active (nordic walking of 6-7 miles twice a week), gym, aqua aerobics and aerobics) I am a good candidate for catheter ablation. I'm terrified of the thought of this procedure (awake and wires being inserted in to my heart!) but alternative is beta blockers and then when over 65, blood thinners. Been on beta blockers two months now and no bad side effects just can feel a bit out of breath when going up hills and occasional tiredness during the exercise. Anyone out there had this procedure and if so can you tell me what it was like? Also I have to have a camera down the throat before procedure and again that freaks me out, so any advice appreciated. Thank you.

[Avell]

I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation last year and prescribed Apixiban and Bisoprolol. After still having visits to A&E with heartbeat of around 180bpm and many ECGs I was also diagnosed with Atrial Flutter. (I also have a couple of other issues - I had a heart attack in 2000 and diagnosed with enlarged heart in 2018)

I was advised that Cardiac Ablation helps with Flutter but not Fibrillation, for which the medication I was on would suffice. I had the procedure in January. Like you, I was concerned but really the procedure was fine. I had the Radio Frequency procedure which was a bit uncomfortable at times but I was sedated and so it wasn’t too bad. The site of the wound (groin) was tender but only for a day.

To be honest I don’t feel any different now but I also haven’t had an “episode” since surgery but like you, my episodes were intermittent and no idea when or why they occurred. Due to still having Afib, I still have periods of feeling lightheaded and my heart rate goes out of sync but the Flutters were worse so am happy they seem to have stopped.

Don’t worry about the procedure, it really isn’t as bad as you fear - at least it wasn’t in my case. Good luck.

[Pippa1234]

Surely you will be anethetised.

[Avell in reply to Pippa1234]

I wasn’t anethetised, just given sedation. It was fine. I do t remember too much about it all.

[Hidden in reply to Pippa1234]

Just rung the hospital with a few more questions! You can have a general anaesthetic if you can’t face the procedure, so that’s good news. I know you’re sedated but the worry is how sedated?! If I can chat with nurse etc then I’d be able to feel some pain/ discomfort. I just need to make my decision now - procedure or face a life on medication. Think I know what I should do. Tracy

[Hidden]

You might want to join the Atrial Fibrillation Association forum on HealthUnlocked which has 15000+ members most with atrial fibrillation.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for advice. Joined the forum. It’s excellent and so good hearing other people talking about their situation b

[painter25]

Hi I understand your worry and concern. I am due for same op at Papworth. I am 50. I’m told it’s success rate is high for fit younger persons. You clearly have done everything you could do to keep yourself healthy. So with that determination of a walker, put the facts on a list and the drawbacks in another column. I am sure you will make the right decision for you. There should be no presssure or time pressure re making the decisions . Make sure you read about operation and procedure so you truely understand it. A colleague of mine has had it and said it was fine. A little discomfort and tender for two days but all good. The success rate is high. For me the meds I am on are ok for keeping me well enough to look through the window of life, eg I’m there but no partipating so I jumped at the chance of an operation to get my life back. I’ve been told local for the entry in groin and you have to lie on table for up to 5 hours. It’s a walk in park for dr. So start getting your self some pictures of your past walks to keep you occupied, I imagine you are quite strong enough once you’ve over come the worry of not knowing. Hope this helps best of luck in your decision.

[Hidden]

Thanks for your kind and very sensible words. I think I know what I have to do but as for being strong once decision made - I’m a real scaredy cat! Lying on the table for so long freaks me out but they have said I can have an anaesthetic if I wish.

I’m going to take a couple of months on this then decide but I don’t want to not be able to walk up hills at a pace and I know this is something I’m not doing so well with now. Thanks again and hope all goes well for you.

[Valbern]

I am 78 and female and underwent this procedure in Liverpool 3 months ago. It wasn't a problem once anaesthetic and sedation took effect. In fact there was no sense of anything happening. I just lay there listening to voices from afar.

I was told that there would be no change for 8 to 12 weeks afterwards and this was the case. I am a lot older so your experience will be diffetent but I find the symptoms are much the same but the palpations have lessened. Still tired and breathless most of the time. However,

age is definitely a factor. I have always been a keen walker, swimmer, cyclist but have to accept that is in the past. You will be fine.

[harlyquin]

Hi,

I have suffered from AF for 3 years, following 2 silent heart attacks. My advice is to go for this treatment because the alternative is cardioversion if the AF needs an intervention, which yours seems to need. Ablation is a permanent treatment, I have had 3 cardioversions, none have lasted very long. I am a 1st class coward and the thought of the camera down the throat really freaked me out too. Don't worry about this, the sedative they give you is megga effective, they spray your throat too with an anaesthetic after which you don't feel very much. I didn't experience any gagging and I've had this done twice. I can't say it was pleasant but it wasn't that bad either - comparable to having a tooth out which isn't nice but its very doable. Haven't had an ablation yet but have had a PCI which is also about wires going in the heart, which I didn't fancy at all either. The worst bit was accessing the the artery they put the wires in, you don't even feel what's going on after that, trust me. I'd rate the actual procedures as about 3/4 of 10 for stress, whereas beforehand my stress levels were off the scale - so much wasted energy! The people doing these things are super experienced and megga skilled cardiologists, trust them, they know what they are doing. You'll have loads of tests beforehand so they will know exactly what your quirks your body has got before you even get as far as having the ablation. The reality is you'll probably take more risks getting to wherever this procedure is going to be done.

Let me know how you get on as I am on a waiting list for this treatment too and I can't wait to get my AF zapped for good. . Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to harlyquin]

Hi. Well, at my last appt with Dr Paisey at Southampton Cardiology I was advised that an ablation isn't right for me at this time. I have responded very well to the beta blocker and are now on the lowest dose too. No further symptoms for the last 8 months. He also advised me that the ablation is NOT a permanent cure for the AF. It is a treatment to improve quality of life. It can and does return - sometimes after 2, or 3 or more years so you have to expect to have it done again and possibly again. That I don't wish to do so for now I'm staying on the beta blocker and I've put it completely out of my mind. I do exactly as I did before in terms of gym, fitness, walking etc and just get on with life. I do wish you all the best with the op though. Tracy

[jayt29]

Hi, i have had an ablation and you can be knocked out for your ablation, i have spoken to friends who were awake during theirs, didnt fancy it. I opted for the general anaesthetic rather the the local. hope it helps.

[Dondito]

had this operation last week and was under for three hours. Was ok .got discharged next day and had a sore throat like tonsillitis for about 5 days and a cough. Some discomfort in thigh and chest for a few days but apart from that feel ok. Not sure if it worked as I’m still getting irregular beats and trying to find out if that’s normal as says takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal to see if successful

[Prawnsalad]

who are you under at Southampton. I am local and recent,y diagnosed and medication doesn’t suit me as I have chest condition but have not been offered abalatio