Ablation for Afib

Hi @abob
So did the ablations also stop the afib episodes? It seems so if it stopped the fatigue which is awful during afib.

Yes, am continuing the cancer med Kisqali. Not only would I be afraid to stop it, but after 4 years of progressive afib episodes, I’m not sure the afib would even stop now if I stopped Kisqali. I’m thinking I was likely predisposed to afib and the Kisqali pushed me over the edge.

6 years before I started Kisqali I had an afib episode when I lost 25 pounds in a month due to dysphasia and my heart freaked out. That’s why I think I’m predisposed. And a few family members have afib. Hmmm.

I have my reasons for not wanting ablations or meds based on my medical history but I may have to rethink it if my afib keeps progressing. I don’t do well with anesthesia for one thing and wish the ablation success rate was higher.

Best of luck to you.

Thx for your reply.
Although he feels so much better, he has had a couple of afibs thus far during the first 2 weeks of the “blanking period” (which is 6-8 weeks?).

Keytruda does warn about possibly causing heart beat irregularities, along with “a billion” other warnings. He also just started experiencing low or high TSH readings, yet another Keytruda warning.

Difficult to weigh risk of no immunotherapy vs organ issues.

@abob
I hope the ablation is ultimately successful after the blanking period. It would be great for you to eliminate that worry.

I hear you on the list of side effects for cancer meds. I’m on 3 meds for two different cancers and all are causing issues. I also had the very dangerous QT prolongation heart rhythm from Kisqali but we fixed that by lowering the dose.

The choices are not black and white. I constantly feel like I’m choosing between the lesser of two evils and hope I choose wisely.

I hope you’ll provide an update after the initial period.

I, too, developed more problems with A-Fib after Covid, although my cardiologist indicated there is no science to indicate a causal relationship. After the flair up, he immediately added Eliquis to the metoprolol and flecainide. When asking if some of these meds or an ablation could be reduced, since the A-Fib has subsided greatly, he said an ablation might only reduce the dosage of one of the drugs and ablation carries risks. So he didn’t recommend any changes….He is a brilliant doctor and I am grateful for his expertise—and keeping me in good shape.

I (73M) was diagnosed with AFib in 2016. As it goes with this issue, it continued to get worse over time with episodes lasting longer and becoming more frequent. I went from several events a year, lasting minutes, to 59 episodes in 2024 lasting 20+ hours each. I finally had a PF ablation at Mayo Rochester on February 20, 2025. Best decision I ever made. It was outpatient, easy, pain-free, no side effects. AFib is gone. I wish I had done it sooner but now glad to have my life back. To try and avoid recurrence, just learn your triggers and avoid them. General advice is to drink lots of water, avoid vegus triggers like overeating and vomiting, avoid over exertion, caffeine, alcohol, straw sipping ice-cold drinks, smoking, lack of sleep, and eat mostly fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.

Thanks for taking the time to write. This was very informative.

Thx. I will show your “avoid” tips to my husband.

38M here - have always been athletic and in good shape. I just had a PF ablation at Mayo last Monday with Dr Madhavan - she is wonderful. Feeling great overall after six days - walked the dog for the first time this morning. I think it comes down to quality of life and once you start to develop more frequent episodes that impact your ability to do things - the ablation gets more appealing. I had my first episode in 2019 and only had about one episode a year until six months ago when I started getting a few every week. I have been on Flecainide, Diltiazem and Eliquis since then, which mostly halted the episodes until I could get in for an ablation.

The problem is that Afib is a progressive disease. I did everything I could between diet, exercise and cutting out triggers - it still eventually got worse. How soon it gets worse is different for everyone. So I think you are fine to wait until the timing feels right for you. Check out the channel "afibeducation" on YouTube - he is very informative and responds to most comments.

@rob960yellow
Great to hear you’re doing well with your ablation. Can I ask how long you were under anesthesia with the PF ablation?

Good post. I think you are absolutely correct as the afib progresses, and it has, I will eventually be forced to do an ablation hoping for one and done. I’ll check out the YouTube channel. Thanks.

Best to you with your recovery. You’re very young to have to deal with this already.

@rob960yellow
Rob, I checked the YouTube channel which led me to his website afibeducationcenter.com and WOW! I’ve watched several videos so far and the EP’s explanations are amazing! I’m now understanding more about why success rates vary and why it’s so important to have the right EP. You can access the videos using the hamburger (3 horizontal lines) in the top right corner of the website. Can’t wait to watch more. For those with afib who like to be informed, this website is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Thanks for sharing, Rob!!!