Is 81 year old too old for ablation?

Posted by fdixon63 @fdixon63, Aug 10 9:30am

I'm an 81 year old female who had an ablation 11 years ago. Now having problems with being out of rhythm. I am on 200 mg of Amiodorone daily. It helps sometimes but not always. Are there others who are in similar situation--perhaps that did get an ablation? What was your experience following this procedure? Thanks.

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jennyjamescharlotte | @jennyjamescharlotte | Aug 31 1:08am

In reply to @gb76 "@jennyjamescharlotte My mother had cardiac ablation when she was 91, and had absolutely no problems whatsoever...." + (show)

@gb76 Thank you so much!

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Aug 31 8:49am

In reply to @gb76 "@jennyjamescharlotte My mother had cardiac ablation when she was 91, and had absolutely no problems whatsoever...." + (show)

@gb76 - Thanks for sharing your mom's experience. I'll put this story above the negative ones as I wait for Sept. 9th.

JaniceR | @jw87 | 2 days ago

Hi, I am 72 years old and I just had a PFA heart ablation. The new method is much better and without as many risks. I could not believe how well my entry point wound looked for the catheter. It looks like it’s almost already healed and I just had it done four days ago. I had no complications and everything seemed so easy. I was out of options medically. I couldn’t take any of the drugs that they use now for a fib. I was having a fib with RVR where your heart rate goes up to 200 bpm or more. I couldn’t stay that way, so they put me on digoxin while I waited for my ablation date. I will not take amiodarone because I have lung problems and it can have serious effects with your lungs. Anyway, the digoxin helped me a great deal. It’s stabilized the water weight that I’ve been having trouble with, and I suddenly had some energy and motivation. That’s been really hard for me since I have heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Long story short, I feel good after my ablation and I’m hoping that it will take care of the problem for 10 years like yours did. I hope that you go ahead and go through with it because I wouldn’t want to stay on amiodarone for any length of time. I wish you well and I hope everything turns out just the way you want it to. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about a fib.

beejee | @beejee | 1 day ago

I have had three ablations--one at age 77, a second at age 78, and a third at age 83. The first two did not reduce my periodic episodes of a-fib, so my electrophysiologist recommended a third one. After each ablation, I was on amiodarone for a few months, but I was always uneasy about taking it. After each ablation, I requested that I be prescribed propafenone, which I had taken since I first had a-fib problems 17 years ago. I still have some flutter, but at age 86, I count myself fortunate to live a normal life for my age. I hope you can have the same kind of experience as I have had. I still have to be aware of a-fib, but I try not to worry about it or "panic" if I have flutter or a warning on my Kardia monitor of "possible atrial fibrillation."

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | 1 day ago

In reply to @jw87 "Hi, I am 72 years old and I just had a PFA heart ablation. The new..." + (show)

@jw87 - Thank you for sharing your experience. Tomorrow is my BIG day. I'm so ready. Also anxious to see what my EP is going to recommend for meds going forward.

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | 1 day ago

In reply to @jw87 "Hi, I am 72 years old and I just had a PFA heart ablation. The new..." + (show)

@jw87 Thank you for your input. Love sharing.

sandw40 | @sandw40 | 13 hours ago

In reply to @beejee "I have had three ablations--one at age 77, a second at age 78, and a third..." + (show)

@beejee
Do they ever mention a limit to the number of ablation one can have or a possible age limit based on personal health history?

stan52 | @stan52 | 13 hours ago

Well I had my first ablation for a flutter yesterday. Thus far no issues. They also put in a ecg to monitor for any a fib. They could not find any a fib yesterday and they accelerated my heart rate up to 280 bpm. The EP seemed to be very happy with these results. I’m now home just recuperating and dealing with the growing in session and the incision in my chest to install the ECG no problems with either one thus far and I’m feeling fine other than still feeling a little bit of an aftereffect from the anesthesia and the lack of appetite. I am not taking any meds for arrhythmia. I was on pacer one, but it lowered my heart rate way too much and I just felt terrible so they took me off of it. 25 days ago feel much better now but still, I’m dealing with some of the side effects of pacer one mainly the constipation. Best wishes to you for tomorrow. I’ll bet you it goes well.

beejee | @beejee | 11 hours ago

In reply to @sandw40 "@beejee Do they ever mention a limit to the number of ablation one can have or..." + (show)

@sandw40
My electrophysiologist said it was entirely dependent on the patient. In my case, she said I was in good health and "young for my age" so she had no concerns about ablations for me.

sandw40 | @sandw40 | 10 hours ago

In reply to @beejee "@sandw40 My electrophysiologist said it was entirely dependent on the patient. In my case, she said..." + (show)

@beejee
I think I already knew your answer but was just curious if there was a practical physical limit to how many ablations even a "young for your age" patient could under go.

There must be a limit I would think that after a certain number of unsuccessful procedures they would say it's just doesn't look like it will work.
Keep getting younger🥰

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