Connect
Comment receiving replies
@windyshores I was on for 36 hours and off for 48 hours ish for the last month or two. Finally had an ablation yesterday. I am a runner and studies show runners (and other active sports I am sure) are at much lower risk of stroke because we run a lot more blood through the heart, so I avoided thinners as well. I am on a blood thinner now, started a week before the ablation and will take for 30 days, possibly 90 depending on how the next check goes. But after that, I am done.
My Dad was on a blood thinner as he had a couple of TSAs, so clearly he needed it, he was on Eliquis. But if you don't move much, I think thinners become more important.
Replies to "@windyshores I was on for 36 hours and off for 48 hours ish for the last..."
@tanyawic An ablation damages tissues. It 'cauterizes' endothelial tissue lining the left atrium in the case of AF. Damaged tissues release cytokines which cause inflammation. Inflamed and damaged tissues are roughened and will have stuff flowing adjacent to them stick to them, things like blood cells and platelets. Platelets cause clots.
You WANT an anticoagulant issued to you with instructions to take it for at least three months post ablation. If a Watchman were implanted in the LAA at the same time, or later, you would WANT a DOAC to take for close to a year or until the confirmatory TEE shows no leakage.
Connect
@tanyawic In fib the atria can't move the blood because they are contracting so fast (300-500) beats per minute and as a result the blood pools and coagulates in the left appendage forming clots. If the clot gets out of the atria stroke or heart attack can occur. If your RBC and Hct are high your blood is thicker to begin with.
It doesn't matter how much blood you're pumping. I am a cyclist and so is my EP. I wouldn't be taking a chance on this during the 90 days postablation. Personally I'd wear a monitor after the blanking period and see what's going on then make the decision to stop the thinner.