How long does ablation last?

You are talking about electrical issues inside the heart. Most ablations are successful, but it does not mean you won't develop new electrical areas causing afib even in same location.

I had an ablation on my RV several years ago. It worked and stopped PVCs in RV. It is still working, and I do not get PVCs in RV. I get PVCs in LV. I wanted to do ablation on it as RV one worked.

However, my very experienced Mayo Jacksonville EP wanted to try medications first. Why? Because the electrical PVCs came from 3 different areas and would be much more difficult to treat with ablation.

I was put on Mexiletine (spell) which cut my PVCs in half, and I have not had VTAC since.
So my RV ablation has lasted over 5 years.

I had an ablation in 2018 for SVT with no reoccurrence. In July I had another one for afib and so far so good.

@j76
We meet again. My wife is going to Mayo in Florida this month to meet with an electrophysiologist. Who did you see there?

@bens1
Hello again.
I see a electrophysiologist (EP) who's name is Dr. Kusumoto. I first saw him all the way back in 2006 and has been my EP since then. We kind of got old together. I am in fact his longest patient (years beeing seen) at Mayo Jacksonville. He did all my ICD/Pacemakers surgeries (on my 3rd).

Dr. Kusumoto is the Director of Mayo Jacksonville electrophysiologist department and pace clinic. He is outstanding, wrote books, teaches at seminars and is president of the EP society in U.S.

There are several other EPs at Mayo that have been there a very long time who are also outstanding. I don't think your wife can do any better than the EPs at Mayo Jacksonville.

My third ablation was done March of 2013 at Mayo in Rochester MN. It was performed by Dr. McLeod. I was afib free until Dec. of 2024. So 11 yrs 9 months. A cardioversion has me back in sinus. Taking diltiazem and am now on eliquis.

Thanks @jc76
As usual, helpful information.

Ablations are funny things . Even in the hands of a good EP ablations sometimes do not last and need to be repeated .Others are quit successful and last a long time .But sounds like you’ve done some good research on hospitals and doctors . Good luck .

@bens1
Thanks, just been dealing with this since 2001. So many things I learned over the years. I think the best thing I learned is you just must have experienced and caring medical doctors treating you who treat you as individual and not a statistic. That means a specific treatment for a specific patient.

@relax2
So very true. I read so many post about those having ablation that don't work or just temporary.

I had one in RV many years ago and I have no PVCs in my RV now just LV.

Everyone heart as well as everyone is different thus going to have very wide success rates. I do know the anxiety and stressed caused by PVCs and PACs can lead to stress and anxiety which according to my doctors state will cause more PVCs and PACs.

Good to address treatment for them along with ways to reduce stress and anxiety including medications. I take a anxiety drug called Escilotilopram (spell) that really helped me. But the I read on MCC that others were told could not take because was contradictory to their specific heart issues.