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Info on experience with AV Node Ablation with Pacemaker dependency.
Hello everyone and thanks in advance for any info you can share regarding this procedure and what life is like afterwards.
I am 67 yrs, just retired, and have been dealing with afib for 10-15 yrs. I've been treated with different meds all having varying degrees of success but in 2015, it was discovered I have a bicuspid heart valve. I had an open chest procedure in 2016 where the aortic bicuspid valve was repaired, an aortic stenosis removed, and a maze procedure was performed at that time. I recovered well and returned to work and normal activity. The afib continued on and off since all of this started and I've had a few ablations, a few cardioversions (the latest 2 weeks ago), and my flutter and afib has returned.
My cardio specialist (EPS) has mentioned the AV Node ablation with pacemaker dependency as the remaining option but it sounds really scary and so "final". The idea of not taking so many meds is appealing however, as is not having to deal with the afib/flutter any longer.
Any info would be much appreciated! My biggest fear is over the reliability of the pacemaker, not being able to walk 3-5 miles p/day or swim laps, or play tennis or pickleball.
My apologies for this epistle and appreciate any info or resources you can share or direct me to!
BB
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I had the av node ablation. It does nothing to stop Afib. In fact my Afib is now constant and my 2 flutters are also constant. At times when the flutters and Afib collide I feel as if my heart is beating sideways and at first I had vertigo whenever I moved my head…. Can only sleep sitting in a recliner over 40 degrees angle…. That lasted for almost 2 months…
I started with Afib my history is much like yours minus the open heart surgery….
I’ve had 4 ablations. The first 3 left me with a new flutter after each. My Afib/ flutters were off and on for 20 years. The 4 th ablation left me with 2 good weeks… then the Afib et al came
Back off and on however, I was unable to walk and breathe at the same time. 5 steps and I had a heaviness on my chest and lost my breath. Required 2 liters of oxygen day and night..
After av node ablation I had 2 great weeks… thought I was cured…. Then Afib and all flutters came back! Constantly.
I got the av node ablation because my heart rate was over 165 for over a week and nothing we did could reduce it. For that it works great! I have had a pacemaker for 21 years…. Until the av node ablation it only worked when I was in Afib because my heart
So…
If you need to get the AVN for other than Afib reasons talk to your doctor…
But get the what ifs covered….
You can’t have any MRIs EVER
Expect to be in Afib all the time..
I swam 3 miles a day daily before I got Afib. I was never able to get more than a half mile a day afterward and haven’t been able to swim more than three or four laps in my backyard pool.
Good luck with your decision.
I had a pacemaker implanted in 2014 and have been playing singles tennis ever since -- until recently. A couple of AFIB incidents have caused me to stop playing because of intense breathlessness and fatigue.
A pacemaker won't impede your exercise capacity, but AFIB will. The device can be set to allow a higher heart rate -- and to distinguish arrythmias from an exercise-induced pulse rate.
My understanding is that a pacemaker will not cure AFIB. I am 100% pacer-dependent and still get AFIB.
I found it very interesting to see this question because I am scheduled for an AV Node Ablation TODAY! I have had a pacemaker for 4 years. As jimhealthy said, a pacemaker will not cure AFib. I have had 4 episodes of AFib since my pacemaker. None of the meds worked for me. While I decided I would go with a PFA, my doctor said I am not a good candidate. He has recommended the AV Node Ablation for months. Right now I am not in AFib; I had a cardioversion last week. I know, however, that AFib will return in the atria (but not the ventricles) and that I will be pacemaker dependent. So, I appreciate everyone's experience. I hope I do not have the flutters that focci has had. After I get 'settled' with this ablation, I will share my experience.
Good Luck. I have had a pacemaker 4 yrs. I have intense breathlessness and fatigue all the time. I am I at the end of my] rope ? Thanks
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2 ReactionsHave you talked with your electrophysiologist about reprogramming your pm? When mine was put in five years ago I was not given the opportunity to speak with the doctor about the symptoms I was experiencing. But I finally was put in touch with another electrophysiologist who helped me in resetting some of the many features on my Boston Scientific pm, which has eliminated the fatigue and shortness of breath. This may be what you need to do.
What did they change in the settings? Do you know?
There is a feature that is sometimes called “the response rate sensor,” though it may be known by different names. The upper number it had been set at was 130. We changed that to 150. I’m sorry I can’t explain precisely what that means, only that how this feature is set has something to do with breathing response time. Some call it the pacing sensor. Mine is now set at 60 (at low end) and 150.
There are also four activity settings. My PM had been programmed at the No. 2 setting (active). It was changed to No. 4 (endurance).
Programming a PM is a very complicated business. A person who posts on many of the PM support groups on MCC—jc76–has gone into detail on some of the changes made to his over the years. I found him a great help in understanding my device.
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1 ReactionThank you at least I have something to discuss with my doctors when I go in
Good luck to you.
I had an AV Node Ablation on August 20; 5 days before on August 15 I had a cardioversion. I did NOT want to be in AFib when I had the AV Node Ablation, and I wasn't. This procedure was recommended because I had persistent AFib on and off for about 5 years. I took nearly every antiarrhythmic, and none of them worked. In addition, I had 3 cardioversions, and - according to 2 different EPs, I was not a candidate for PFA.
So far, so good... I am a month out, and (as far as I know ) I am not in AFib. I recognize that I can go into AFib in the atria, but the ventricles will have a heart rate under 100 because I am pacemaker dependent. Like many of you, I was concerned both about being pacemaker dependent and also the possibility of being in constant AFib in the atria. This video gave me some reassurance about being pacemaker dependent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3_NZa0Ns48.
I am still on Propafenone, which didn't work BEFORE the ablation, so I am not certain that it will work now (or why I am still on it). Fucci indicated that you cannot have an MRI with a pacemaker. That may be true of older pacemakers; I have had one for 4 years, and I have had 2 MRI's. Check with your EP or your pacemaker manufacturer (mine is Medtronic) for your specific case.
When in AFib, I could not walk a few feet if on an incline without stopping to breathe. Now I am happy to report that I can walk up a hill without stopping to catch my breath. I still get very short of breath upon exertion. However, I have several comorbidities which may be contributing to my SOB. I did have my pacemaker reprogrammed, and it has helped. I recommend doing that if you are having issues.
I have asked several medical professionals if I would know if I went back into AFib - and I received several different responses. My EP said I would not be aware if I went back into AFib; of course, he has been encouraging the AV Node Ablation for months. According to my Apple Watch and my KardiaMobile, I am in sinus rhythm. However, are they accurate after an AV Node Ablation? I don't know. Fucci, could you tell me how you knew when you went back into AFib 2 weeks after your AVN Ablation?
I apologize for the length of this comment. However, I promised on August 20 when I was anticipating this ablation that I would report back after my AV Node Ablation, and I hope it has given some of you considering this procedure some helpful information. I know I appreciate hearing all the experiences reported on this site.