av node ablation

I am considering AV Node ablation. There are pros and cons. At 84 if it gives me a year or two of freedom from symptoms I will be grateful.
On the down side you are totally dependent on a pacemaker for your heartbeat, it changes the structure of your heart over time, and you usually go into chronic a fib. Some people can still have symptoms although many do not.

I did not realize it changes the structure of your heart. At this point my husbands afib and aflutter are really messing with our lives. We are afraid to go anywhere far from a hospital in case he goes back into afib. They are now considering a pulse field ablation and if that does not work an av node ablation. He is only 73 but we have been struggling with this for 20 years. Having a year or two of freedom would be nice but what happens in the long run is scary.

Same thing for me. I have the option of a targeted ablation first and then the AV node if it doesn’t work.
Your husband is younger so the pulse field will have a good chance of working; the advent of A.I is getting better results as well.
The problem with the arrhythmias is that they eventually come back. The good news about the AV node is that you are not always running to the hospital as heartbeat rate controlled by pacemaker and chronic a fib will usually have no symptoms.

Thank you very much for your response. He was just cardioverted and waiting to get on the schedule for Pulse Field Ablation. We hope that works as the other 7 ablations did not.
I was kind of scared about an av node ablation (if it comes to that) but living with constant worry about his afib might let us get our life back.

I have had several episodes of AFib and 2 cardioversions. I was hoping I can stay out of AFib. However, this morning I went back into AFib, and my heart rate is consistently over 100. Since we are leaving for a trip tomorrow morning, I am concerned (but my family is looking forward to the trip). My doctor suggested an AV Node Ablation (I already have a pacemaker). However, I am very reluctant to do that. I recognize that I can't be shocked into rhythm every few months, so I am hoping a Pulse Field Ablation will work. Like bobaa, I am scared about an AV node ablation - so I appreciate hearing from others.

they stopped my first ablation b/c the second target was on top of the AV node.
went to Mayo - Phoenix - they did it cryogenically. no PVC's when I left. six months later - they're back.

Pls keep us posted re Pulse Field Ablation if you get it. Thanks

I think possibly September is when they are going to do the Pulse Field Ablation. I will certainly update as I hope this works and lasts a long time.