Ablation for Afib

Atrial Fibrillation is far more complex than some of this forum may suggest. Pulmonary vein isolation (ablation) can be beneficial for some patients but it is not always a magic bullet. I suggest doing a bit of homework, and most importantly discuss your unique situation with a qualified medical professional(s). This link provides a wealth of detailed information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_fibrillation

Thank you for your input @nevets
I promise I don’t take this lightly or think anything about it is simple. I’ve experienced too many mishaps to believe anything is simple or guaranteed. I had an isolated AFib episode 10 years ago and then 4.5 years ago it moved to 1-2 times a month for 12 hours year 1. Year 2 18 hours. Years 3 & 4 2-4 times a month for 30 hours and the last couple months once a week with the most recent episode 60 hours. I’ve tried just avoiding all identified food and exercise triggers which are lots (my PCP told me good luck with that plan). I’ve educated myself thru reading, watching videos, attending talks, reading stories here and have thus far declined meds and procedures.

I have an appointment with my cardiologist on July 2nd for the first time in 3 years. I thought my last episode would never end. This time I’ll agree to meet with the EP. I don’t want my afib to progress to permanent and it’s ruining at least 2 days a week now. I’ve had several retinal TIAs in the past 2 years. My retinal specialist is freaked out I’m not on blood thinners. I tried dronedarone (Multaq) 10 years ago for 3 days and felt like I was actively having a heart attack the whole time. I’m convinced I would have died from that med had I continued. Scariest med ever for me. He then prescribed flecainide and eliquis but I was too fearful to try either at that point.

When my brother went on blood thinners after heart surgery it took 6 months, lots of falls and injuries from passing out, and 7 ER visits before they figured out he had internal bleeding from a tumor which was stage 3 esophageal cancer. So I have plenty of risk questions for my cardiologist, EP, oncologists and neurologist regarding AFib treatment risks. I also don’t do well with anesthesia and so many stories of failed and repeated ablations are very scary. I’ve taken gloaming’s message about selecting the right EP to heart. I also know the more complex the case the more likely it may take additional ablations. Aside from the MRI issue with the watchman, I’m allergic to aspirin and all NSAIDs so that’s another contraindication. I sure hope I can safely tolerate the blood thinner.

I do feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place due to personal risk factors, but I’m very informed. I guess I’ve been in the analysis paralysis stage for 4 years. I’m trying to be extra cautious, not throw caution to the wind.

3 years ago I asked my cardiologist to stop trying to scare me into compliance. I fully understood the risks and options. I’m not sure he understood all my unique concerns. I told him, because of your constant scare tactic approach telling me your worst patient outcomes from those that refused meds, every night before bed I put out 2 bowls of kibble and two bowls of water for my dogs in case it takes a while for someone to discover I’m dead. He apologized for making me feel that way.

Your comments here lead me to believe you may either be reluctant to seek risky AFib treatment yourself or perhaps you already had a bad experience with treatment. Are either of those the case?

After reading these posts, I did find a Cardio-Onc within 40 miles, but I don’t know whether she’s even taking new patients. It would have been great to be connected with her at the start of his Afibs/irregulars. But as you said, too late now.

Husband was ok thru Chemo, but now one year into Keytruda, he has Afibs and hypo thyroid issues. I wish we had been more aware with a discussion about possibly stopping Keytruda. Onc posted Keytruda document on his portal as “education”. Thanks a lot for this huge indecipherable document after the fact. I’m thinking Onc doesn’t want him dying from cancef, but has no regard for his other major issues caused by her “cure”.

I’m disgruntled. Thx for listening.

I agree that most specialists only worry about their slice of the pie. I’m not happy about ending up with AFib either but I’m guessing I was predisposed and cancer treatment pushed me over the line.

As for hypothyroidism, I’ve been on levothyroxine for that for 36 years now. Impressive, easy med, easy fix. I wish all my disorders were as easy to fix as that one was. They just need to figure out the right dose for him and it takes a few weeks to fully work. Hang in there.

Thx for your reply. Happy that you are doing ok on Levothyroxine, husband’s dose just increased bc TSH skyrocketed to 67. U/S thyroid next wk.

But - it needs to be taken 4 hrs prior to other meds, so husband has been taking it at his 4am-5am bathroom trip,

Thx for your reply. I just found that there is a Cardio Oncologist about 1 hour away in the hospital system I have used. I will see if she is taking patients. (I say this bc could not get appt with any endocrinologist until Oct, many not accepting new pts! )

Hassle to take the meds two different times.

There must be a shortage of endocrinologists because I had to wait 5 months to get into one a couple years ago and he is no longer accepting new patients.

My doc says they will not hold my age against getting an ablation! I am definitely going for it! I am in France on a bike tour and have been fine but another woman with A-Fib has really struggled and she says she has it all the time! Her doc didn't recommend ablation! 🙁

I have been diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation. I have been on simvastatin 10mg for years and last year prescribed metoprolol 25mg. My blood pressure is not high. I’m very fatigued. Now they want to put me on blood thinners eliquis (expensive). I refuse to take it! According to my Apple Watch, I have been having atrial fibrillation for 3 years and the holter monitor just picked it up .
There is a device called the “watchman “ that is supposed to end AF. Seems quick to do an ablation, my cardiologist hasn’t even suggested it.

The Watchman is a device that the insert into the heart and it blocks off the appendage in the left atrial. When you are in Afib and the left atrial is beating out of rhythm with the ventricle this appendage is where blood clots may form. The Watchman is not really designed to end AF, but to remove the need for an anticoagulant like Eliquis. The ablation procedure is used to end Afib. There are some doctors that will perform the ablation procedure and install the Watchman at the same time. I had the pulse filed ablation procedure, but my doctor is not completely sold on the Watchman and suggested that it not be installed at this time.