Anyone had vagal denervation aka cardioneuroablation for vagal afib?

Hi,
I'm a pretty healthy, active 80 year old woman. I had vagal proximal afib. In March 2026 I had a Watchman and PFA at Mayo, combined procedure. They did the usual pulmonary vein ablation--it seems that's a source for most afib--then checked for other rogue signals and ablated for them also. My post procedure report reads "....We achieved entrance and exit block in all pulmonary veins. On the remap, we found that the posterior wall was partially isolated based on absence of capture at high output and absent bipolar potentials. We applied additional PFA lesions in the superior and inferior posterior wall that rendered it electrically isolated with evidence of entrance and exit block...." All the ablations were done from the inside of the heart.
I was never uncomfortable during the whole procedure except for a mild sore throat after. Time in the OR was 6 1/2 hours. Went back to hotel 2 hours later. It seemed their biggest concern is preventing bleeding at the cather insertion points. I am now 5 months out. I had the expected few days of afib episodes at about 11 days after surgery, but these were not worrisome because they were expected--scar tissue still forming. I have had no arrhythmias since except a few PVCs during some unrelated anxious days--not unusual for me. At the 3 month checkup I was told to stop Bisoprolol (tapered) and Eliquis and switch to 81mg aspirin. We drove from WI to Seattle 9 days after my surgery with Mayo's blessing. Before the procedure my Apple watch resting HR was 47 (with no symptoms). Now it's settling around 60.
I think it's very important to recognize if your afib is vagal or androgenic and to get the appropriate procedure. It seems you are all set in that regard, but to anyone else with afib out there--learn about vagal afib. Very different triggers and treatment!
Good luck!
Julie
Good luck to you!

@northwoodslady
Thank you for your response, Julie. So glad it all turned out so well for you and you’re healthy!

Although your report didn’t specifically mention denervation, the fact that your resting heart rate went up 13 points indicates the denervation occurred incidentally. Best wishes for your long term success and good health!

@californiazebra
Hi again.
The word "denervation" was never used, but I'm quite sure that's what was done and that it was purposefull and not incidental, as we discussed the fact that I had vagal afib. From what I've read denervation is usually done from inside the heart. The wall is thin enough that the ablation reaches the offending areas from inside.
I'm enjoying my higher RHR. No more Apple low HR alarms at night.
We are lucky to have all these amazing procedures available. So much has changed since I first had afib 10 years ago.
Julie

Hi,
I'm a pretty healthy, active 80 year old woman. I had vagal proximal afib. In March 2026 I had a Watchman and PFA at Mayo, combined procedure. They did the usual pulmonary vein ablation--it seems that's a source for most afib--then checked for other rogue signals and ablated for them also. My post procedure report reads "....We achieved entrance and exit block in all pulmonary veins. On the remap, we found that the posterior wall was partially isolated based on absence of capture at high output and absent bipolar potentials. We applied additional PFA lesions in the superior and inferior posterior wall that rendered it electrically isolated with evidence of entrance and exit block...." All the ablations were done from the inside of the heart.
I was never uncomfortable during the whole procedure except for a mild sore throat after. Time in the OR was 6 1/2 hours. Went back to hotel 2 hours later. It seemed their biggest concern is preventing bleeding at the cather insertion points. I am now 5 months out. I had the expected few days of afib episodes at about 11 days after surgery, but these were not worrisome because they were expected--scar tissue still forming. I have had no arrhythmias since except a few PVCs during some unrelated anxious days--not unusual for me. At the 3 month checkup I was told to stop Bisoprolol (tapered) and Eliquis and switch to 81mg aspirin. We drove from WI to Seattle 9 days after my surgery with Mayo's blessing. Before the procedure my Apple watch resting HR was 47 (with no symptoms). Now it's settling around 60.
I think it's very important to recognize if your afib is vagal or androgenic and to get the appropriate procedure. It seems you are all set in that regard, but to anyone else with afib out there--learn about vagal afib. Very different triggers and treatment!
Good luck!
Julie
Good luck to you!