Ablation for atrial flutter - advice?

[Floss43]

On 1 April, I went into atrial flutter, very symptomatic: extreme exhaustion, exercise intolerance. At the time, they thought from my pacing data that I might have occasionally been in atrial flutter before, but spontaneously reverted out of it. (I had a pacemaker fitted for sinus node dysfunction in September 2021; all very rushed and unplanned, and I'm also - relatively, for the condition - young, early 40s.)

I had cardioversion last week, which worked straight away, but the consultant is strongly recommending ablation to ensure it doesn't recur. There seems to be loads out there about AV node ablation, but little about the kind performed for atrial flutter, and I'm trying to find out as much as I can about people's experiences - anything I should know etc.

Particularly interested in how it has or has not impacted exercise - I usually run 3x a week, work out a couple of times, walk everywhere, so being able to keep up this lifestyle is super important to me.

Thank you for any advice or personal stories.

[CDreamer]

May I suggest that you visit the AFA forum and look at their website - lots of info about ablation there.

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

The procedure for AFl ablation is exactly the same except there is no need to punch a hole through the septum.

I know many people who have had ablation for both AF &/or AFl, I’ve had 2 for AF myself. Flutter is much easier to ablate than for AF because the catheter travels from the groin to the right atria.

Hope that helps.

[CDreamer]

Link to video explaining exactly how the procedure is performed

youtu.be/L6lxP4P8_5A(Not working as expected?)

[jaffacake8 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for posting this video. I had an ablation for atrial flutter last year and and as it was unscheduled and performed as a bit of an emergency I didn't get very much information about how the procedure was done. This video explains a lot to me and was very helpful.

[CDreamer]

You will find a Preparing and Recovering for Catheter Ablation Info Sheet on the AFA site but all I would say is that everyone’s recovery is individual. It’s advisable to do very little for the first 7-10 days, gradually increase activity and exercise thereafter, even if you feel well your heart has been through trauma so you need time to allow it to recover. I completely mucked up my first ablation because I felt so well and did too much, too soon.

Being young means you will recover so much more quickly anyway as I was in my 60’s when I had ablations.

Hope all goes well and you are soon back to running.

[Floss43]

Thank you! That's REALLY helpful, much appreciated. Still very interested in hearing any 'personal stories' if anyone else wants to chip in...