Heart Ablation

[gillyt60]

Hi, I've had paroxysmal AF for 13 years but recently it's increased to the point where I have episodes every day. My cardiologist has been trying Sotalol at varying strengths over the last few weeks but doesn't seem to be working for me so suggested a heart ablation. Has anyone had this done, can you advise what it was like, did it work and was it painful either during the procedure or afterwards for any length of time? I wondered that even if it works, will there be any sensation that somethings been done or does your heart feel completely normal afterwards? Thanks x

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Gilly, you will probably get more replies at the forum on Health Unlocked for people with atrial fibrillation. Here is the link:

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

I've had 3 ablations, but still have AF. The procedure is no big deal, to be honest but getting better afterwards is and can take 2 weeks to months.

Jean

[Pdlmgk4]

Hi Gilly, I had ablation earlier this year. The procedure was quite straightforward and the staff put you at ease. Not painful and recovery was good. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked for me and I have been suffering episodes of AF over the last couple of months. I am now not able to lead my life the way I did. I am not moaning lots of people in a worse place. Hopefully I will get to see a cardiologist before too much damage is done.

[gillyt60 in reply to Pdlmgk4]

Thanks for your reply Pdlmgk4, do you mean the ablation has made your AF worse or just no different?

[Pdlmgk4 in reply to gillyt60]

The ablation worked for a while but the flutter has come back. I am waiting for an appointment to see the cardiologist but rapidly losing faith in the system.

[beechesblue]

Just over a year ago I was would to have a Atrial Flutter which was resolved by an ablation but I was made aware that AF would follow. In January after a couple of trips to A&E confirmed that I had AF

In May I had a PVI ablation which was carried out and without any major pain needed a night in hospital as they appear to want to monitor for a period

Since then I have been free and now back fully to exercise and work. Some people need a second ablation to fully cure it appears but for me so far so good

I did worry about the process but glad I had it, medical team were great and explained everything

[LMFlorentina]

Hi! I’ve had two ablations for paroxysmal SVT, so different condition but same procedure. The first one worked amazingly well - roughly 3-4 hour procedure, no sedation. It’s a strange experience but I wouldn’t say unpleasant at all. Apart from a lot of bruising around the entry point, I was back at work within 5 days. Recovery, again, was strange - I would get a lot of isolated ‘thud’ beats, but I was told this was my heart learning not to go into SVT.

The second ablation (7 years later, when I was 36) was more difficult. It went on longer and I had sedation, which proved harder to recover from. I had around a month off work after - potentially due to a problem with that sedation.

Having said that, I don’t regret having either of the operations done. Prior to my first procedure, I was having episodes every day and was collapsing quite a lot, and I had also had a mini stroke, so I felt it was worth taking a chance on the operation for the possibility of a better life. I suppose it’s about speaking to your medical team, assessing the risks and working out if you think the potential outcome is worth it.

[Ozette]

Hi Gilly, I’ve had 4 ablations. They are very easy for the patient and results can very depending on your AFib. Mine was very persistent and stubborn. One has to take it easy for a few days after the procedure. There is a six months healing window so there may or may not be AFib during that time as the scarring heals. What I didn’t know or understand is that there is no real cure for AFib. Mine was manageable with medication after the first 2 ablations. I am extremely grateful there is such an easy procedure that greatly improved my life. I wish you well.

[KiwiBlake]

Hi from New Zealand I'm a 51 year old male who had a cryo ablation just over 7 weeks ago (the one where a balloon catheter is filled with untra cold stuff).

Initially I was awake during the procedure, I was talking with the surgical theatre staff. I was able to watch on the screen (although from a side angle) the catheter been threaded into my heart and watched the first freeze. Up to this point it was all very relaxing and really fascinating (I'm not a squeamish person). At this point however I could feel my heart suddenly go crazy and I felt very uncomfortable, which I said so to someone close by. The anaesthetist said he was going to put me out, and that's the last thing I remember.

I awoke about 3 hours later in the ward. The surgeons came and spoke with me saying they were really happy with how it all went. I had to be cardioverted a couple of times during the op. I think they said they froze numerous areas, 4 places I think.

I had a sandwich and a pottle of youget.

Approx 6 hours post op they wanted me to get up and walk around. I went to sit up and stand but went dizzy and almost blacked out. The nurse immediately lay me down, lowered my head and they pumped a litre of drip into me. 45 minutes later they asked me to stand again. This time I got up, and walked around the ward. An hour after this I was discharged.

The wife drove me to KFC, as I was starving as 12 hours prior to the op, I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything. Best KFC ever!

We had to stay at a BnB close to the Hospital as we live 4 hours drive away.

Back at home, I was off work for a week. I was a bit fatigued, a few day naps. When I returned to work I felt normal, The incision point just to the side of my groin was a bit puffy, but healed in about a week. Small scar.

Been in normal rhythm the whole post op for last 7 weeks apart from last week when I took a Nurofen just before going to bed for a bit of sciatica pain. Awoke with AF an hour later, took a Diltiazem and reverted back to normal 90 minutes later. All good since then.

Sorry long reply, but honestly from my perspective nothing to fear re ablation. I've been walking every day to work (approx 7 km each way) weather dependent. Been feeling really good.

Regards Blake

[Woodentopbox]

Hi Gilly My wife has had a recent consultation with the cardiologist and he explained that sotalol as a betablocker has only a small effect on the slowing the pulse and if your pulse is normally quite low then it probably is not the right solution. The other principal is to find a way not to slow the heart but to get it back to sinus rhythm and this is where ablation can help however there is other medication that apparently can do this which would be taken when an onset of AF is thought to be imminent. At the moment we are wating for more information on this. Also it seems the wait for an ablation could be up to 2 years.