Pulsed Field Ablation

@gloaming FWIW, it's just a week after my PFA for paroxysmal AF and interestingly, I was taken off Metoprolol prior to it and disconinued indefinitely . No anti-arrhythmia meds were added.

Thank you for giving me hope. I’m willing to do a second ablation if it will end this. I know it’s not a guarantee.

@tomandpatti Nope, never a guarantee.....regrettably. However, you can up your odds, assuming your case isn't exceedingly complex and quite beyond the mere mortal EP out there, by seeking and enlisting the help of the very best EPs that money can buy. If you're well covered financially, and can stand being in line for three-six months until one of them can take you on, your chances of either being told your case is quite beyond modern medical practice and science, or that you require special care but are quite probably going to be better off, are high with the ten best EPs. I can offer the names of two I know of, but beyond that, it really is most often the skill and experience of the EP in question that matters most for patient outcomes.

@gloaming I would be willing to research your known EP physicians.

@tomandpatti I am in Canada, but I frequent the afibbers.org forum where care for AF sufferers (mostly, and many suffer from one or more arrhythmias) is discussed among experienced and knowledgeable people. The two most frequently suggested EPs are Dr. Andrea Natale at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin and Dr. Pasquale Santangeli at Cleveland Clinic. Both were trained by Dr. Pierre Jais in Bordeaux, France, who is considered to be the Great Guru of electrophysiology in modern times. I don't know much about either physician, but their reputations precede them in EP circles, and Natale has privileges in at least a half-dozen hospitals in the American mid-west and west....meaning he travels. People literally travel from afar to see him.

@ltb7 I’m in exactly the same boat! 13 weeks post PFA. at 10 weeks stopped Flecinide. 36 hour off and Afib. So back on 50 mg twice daily. No incidents until last night 3am. Waited to take my dose in the morning because a monitor was suppose to be delivered so I thought that would give them a good reading. 12 hours in Afib I took med because monitor isn’t here yet. I too question a monitor when the meds were working

@tomandpatti sorry to hear that. I’m 6 weeks post PFA now. They are having me wear the heart monitor on 3/18 for 2 weeks, while on the medication. I questioned that and my doctor said that is what they do. My follow up is in April when I’m hoping to get off the Diltaizem and Flecainide, mainly because I still have bad side effects after a few months of being on them. I don’t know what will happen, my doctor did say they would give me the Flecainide as a PITP thing. I guess it’s a wait and see situation with no guarantee and everyone is so different, wishing you the best.

I’m 3 days post PF ablation and still experiencing a lot of the same symptoms as with afib but now no afib, just tachycardia w shortness of breath, lightheaded, shaky weak with activity ( like walk 50 ft to kitchen and sit at the table and eat). I think I am experiencing baby step improvements but I’m still pretty nonfunctional. Interesting to me that one doc’s site in the UK said he tells folks to bring comfy pants, that they will probably have a larger waistline for a bit post procedure- I wish I’d read that before the procedure! It was true for me. Anyone else notice that? My post-procedure chest discomfort is totally manageable as is the groin site- healing well. Cough and sore throat from intubation are fairly minor. My heart still pounds occasionally even when I’m still but no afib thus far. I do understand that I may have some now and then and I do feel like my heart is tender as is my chest. Lots of indigestion but small easy meals help. So I’m hopeful though the cardiologist says my symptoms w activity must not be related to my severely enlarged L Atrium cause other patients don’t experience these symptoms as severely in their experience. We’ll see - I’m hoping tincture of time does the trick🤞☘️

Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with all the talk about finding the best EP money can buy. I'm an average senior on a fixed income with frequent high-rate (180+) PSVT, in the ER every 4-5 weeks for adenosine treatment. My first appt with EP is next week (postponed from February by blizzard). I will never be in the position of searching out "the best EP money can buy." My cardiologist, whom I adore, chose this EP for me. Ablation is the goal. Please give me back my hope that there is relief for us "average" arrhythmia sufferers too!

@osgilian
I’m also a Senior on a budget.
I don’t know or care how much money anybody else has, but I do know we all need help with something.
The best that money can buy phrase should include the word “my”.

I assure you this is a place where everyone can come. We share experiences and hope.

I wish you the best.