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Any AV Ablation success stories?

Posted by rplaing @rplaing, Aug 29, 2025

Any AV Ablation success stories? I am an 83-year-old active female who for the past two years has undergone 3 heart ablations, placement of a pacemaker and 11 cardio versions. Arrhythmia meds have had various awful side effects. The Arrhythmia Doctor and cardiologist are suggesting an AV node ablation. I was wondering if there was any improvement with the AFib/high heart rate condition with this procedure.

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rmig | @rmig | Apr 10 11:48am

I am post two weeks out from an AV node ablation and pacemaker.
Still feel weak and very scared. Very anxious that my life is now in the hands of a battery and that I was so close to death.

Hopefully, in time, I will be less frightened. It is truly a medical miracle that this procedure is available.
One day at a time, huh?

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veronica0127 | @veronica0127 | Apr 10 12:39pm
In reply to @rmig "I am post two weeks out from an AV node ablation and pacemaker. Still feel weak..." + (show)
Profile picture for rmig @rmig

I am post two weeks out from an AV node ablation and pacemaker.
Still feel weak and very scared. Very anxious that my life is now in the hands of a battery and that I was so close to death.

Hopefully, in time, I will be less frightened. It is truly a medical miracle that this procedure is available.
One day at a time, huh?

Jump to this post

@rmig keep the faith it will be so much better in the near future. Blessings

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bettycll | @bettycll | Apr 10 1:22pm
In reply to @james78900 "I had an av node ablation and a leadless pacemaker placed in my heart a month..." + (show)
Profile picture for james78900 @james78900

I had an av node ablation and a leadless pacemaker placed in my heart a month ago and I feel better than I have in years.

I’m off all those dreadful antiarrhythmic drugs that make a person feel so crappy. I still take Eliquis, but I don’t think it makes me feel bad.

Honestly the pacemaker has made me able to actually walk and exercise again. Yes… I’m pacemaker dependent. But that beats being dependent on an unreliable heart and taking loads of toxic pills every day!

The pacemaker is the best decision I’ve made.

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@james78900
Agreed, James! I just responded to a similar thread. I am pacemaker-dependent which is NOT a problem at all! I am so grateful to be off all of the antiarrhythmic drugs which caused so many issues - they affected my lungs and my kidneys - and did not control my AFIB! Like you, I still take Xarelto. That is because an AV Node Ablation does NOT keep you from going back into AFIB, but it keeps you from going into Tachycardia.

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charlie994 | @charlie994 | 2 days ago

It’s been a godsend to me. No more worry about AFib episodes lasting for hours. I’m very active, swim and walk for at least an hour everyday. I’ve had it for two years and couldn’t be more pleased. It took about 3 or 4 months to adjust but I rarely even know it’s there. I wish I had the procedure 10 years ago.

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