pace and ablate

[Sweetmelody]

I’m having an AV node ablation and dual lead pacemaker implanted. I’m feeling a bit of trepidation. Any information from those of you who’ve had this procedure would be appreciated.

Just quickly I’ve had two failed ablations and nine cardioversions in the last two years. I have persistent AF/AFL/AT. I’m feeling disappointed—I’d had great hopes for the ablations. I have a Watchman. With that and a pacemaker I’ll be off all drugs (except baby aspirin, which barely counts when compared to the dreadful amiodarone). I enthusiastically look forward to being off drugs and having minimal stroke risk.

I’m soon 83 and my goal is simply quality of life in my remaining years. Those of you with pacemakers, have they given you the QOL you wanted?

What would be helpful for me to know about pace-and-ablate? Recovery time? Pain? Clothing the first month after? Adjusting settings on the pacemaker? I’m just starting to get my head around this development.

[Deejay62]

Hi I had a pace and ablate about 14 yrs ago due to atrial tachycardia which was actually slowing my heart down and had put me into heart failure. I had a 3 Leeds device, CRT-P. I was ok and didn’t have much problems with arrhythmias until 6 yrs ago when my heart function became 10%. My meds were changed to a heart failure cocktail and my device box was updated to a CRT-D device. My heart function is now 23% and I now have persistent Afib but I seldom know I have it.

I can’t remember much about it because the first one seems ages ago and the second seems just as long.

The first time it was awful, but I followed the after care instructions and got through it. I healed very well and by month 3 I didn’t even remember I had it fitted. The second one was only the box change as they connected the Leeds to the old box. The whole thing was different and had improved considerably. I was back at work 3 days later scanning things, but not lifting. I recovered even quicker. But it was only a box change.

I hope someone comes along who recently had theirs done. I wish you all the best.

[Sweetmelody in reply to Deejay62]

Thanks so much! I love hearing the honest human experiences on this forum. My EP makes getting a pacemaker sound like a walk in the park. I figure all wil be well on the long run, but on the short run neither ablation I’ve had was a walk in the park.

I’m surprised I heard from anyone. I couldn’t find my post on the site. I figured it hadn’t gotten posted, for whatever reason. More mysteries of the internet. I’m delighted I heard from you!

[Sweetmelody in reply to Sweetmelody]

Aha! I discovered I hadn’t posted on the Afib support site, just the British Heart Assoc site. I just posted it on the support site. Maybe I’ll get dome input? Without your response, I’d just dropped the whole thing blaming my tech incompetence. Thanks again for replying.

[Deejay62 in reply to Sweetmelody]

It’s not a walk in the park. It’s easy for them as they do it all the time but as the patient it will be painful for a while but paracetamol can fix that. Ask questions, write them down if necessary before the procedure. You should get sedation during the procedure and someone should be by your side asking if you’re ok. Some people are put under but I’ve always been awake even during my 4 ablations years ago.

Hopefully others will come along. Sometimes it’s quieter at weekends.

[Naqlac]

Hi there. Please don't worry, like you I was pretty anxious about the procedure, especially after so many failed cardio versions and ablations.I had my CRTP fitted a year last January in Leeds, under local anaesthetic. It was fine, you just have to be careful how you sleep and what you wearing, especially bras. They then connected it up 3 months later ( after they checked all the lines were firmly in place). The AV node ablation is far far easier than any of the ablations you would have had, so don't worry about that.

The great thing is you only need to take blood thinners after that and what ever is happening in your top chambers be it AF or AT, it is then not effecting your bottom ones, so no fainting, funny turns, exhaustion etc.

They set you at 90 beats/min and then over the next few months reduce that down to about 60/ min at your local pacemaker clinic.

I forget I have it in now, it's been an absolute game changer.

Please don't worry, I know taking away your heart beat is very drastic, but it seems like with me, they have tried everything, and this is a positive move.

Best of luck. Remember they will explain everything to you, just ask them about anything you are worried about.

[Sweetmelody in reply to Naqlac]

I love the words “game changer.” That’s what I’m looking for, am more than ready for. Thanks for the reassuring words. I still have lots to learn, I see. I didn’t know about “setting” one’s heartbeat. Will learn, I’m sure!

[Bjw49 in reply to Naqlac]

Thank you for that info. I had my pacemaker fitted 18th July. AV node ablation due in 12th.

I hope it is the answer to the impact of permanent AF and medication as I want a good quality of life.