Any AV Ablation success stories?

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?

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

@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.

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.

I am posting this about my afib journey it started with and pacemaker for bradycardia in 2023 then 2024. 3 bouts of pretty bad afib then January of 25 had a ablation + watchman combined then cardio version because could not maintain sinus rhythm and then 2nd complex ablation in early Dec 2025 they did a lot worked for awhile would go week in sinus rhythm the couple days of afib but in June 6 weeks of persistent afib. Called electrophysiologist nurse and she said this is the afib journey get a pace and ablate. Did all the research and had it done 11 days ago upgraded to biventricular pacemaker with the av node ablation at same time it was a game changer for me. My heart was not pumping out the blood fully and was told you could eventually have heart failure from a weakening of the heart. Feel absolutely great should have done it sooner. I was not going to take the drugs and the afib always comes back . Now I might get 8 years before I have to change it out. I am slim very atheletic and in good shape my heart was pretty strong to begin with

I've just been told I need an av ablation. Have to admit I'm a bit freaked out. I could use some positive feedback from others that have had it procedure.

@bjgonder99 If you've ever had a colonoscopy, it's more involved and longer than that, but it's still day surgery. IV put in early, the anesthetist and electrophysiologist come by to chat you up, and next thing you know you're wheeled into the cath lab. The anesthetist will put you to sleep as explained and next thing you know you awaken flat on your back with a heavy sensation on your upper thigh if they've applied a heavy compress there to keep the incision clotted and closed up. Nurses will immediately be attentive and ensure you feel secure and well. Within about two hours they'll ask you to drink something, and soon after ask you to eat. If you can hold it all down, they'll ask you to get up and walk slowly around the ward shoving your IV tree. If that goes well, it means your blood pressure is good and your heart isn't cranky. They'll call your ride, hand you instructions and at least two temporary prescriptions, and you'll be home by supper if you're local. They ask travelers to stay an extra night in most cases in case you have to get back to the hospital urgently, say an opened incision or something. That next full week, take it easy, do only what you feel you can, no more. No lifting more than 10 pounds/4.5 kg. Avoid kneeling for two days, and you can shower the next morning, even removing the dressing and applying your own bandage. Just do not scrub the incision...at all...for about four days.

I have had two. The first failed (it's a story, but it's a common story) while the second has had me in normal sinus rhythm for over 3.5 years....gratefully so.

@gloaming I had a flutter ablation 18 days ago and didn’t even have an IV. They had a pick line for sedation but that was it. I laid still for 2 hours passed urine and went home. One day rest then a 1/2 mile walk the next day. Then pretty returned to normal activities except swimming. Went back to swimming this past Wednesday. Started at 20 minutes with the goal of adding 5 minutes per week until reaching 40. Still have one tiny lump in groin and some bruising there but that’s it. Still feel a skipped heart beat a few times per day but I was told to expect that as scar heals. For a rookie to surgery I was amazed. Hopefully it works long term. I have a loop recorder and the 7 day checkup was very good. Hope to exit Eliquist on 10-28. I’ll decide then about keeping recorder.

@bjgonder99 I had a complete AV node ablation with the placement of an Aveir leadless pacemaker in my heart in March of 2026. I battled with afib for more than four years. At first, the meds controlled my rhythm pretty well. But over time, there were more and more occasions where I would go into afib without warning, and it became more and more difficult to convert.

At the very end, I was taking 200mg of metoprolol and propafenone by what seemed like the handfuls…

Ultimately, none of any of
the medications were working. They finally loaded me up on amioderone and were able to shock me back into rhythm… which lasted about two hours. This was after several pulsed field ablations.

With the metoprolol, I had gained enough weight to make a hippopotamus blush. My heart rate was constantly 150+ bpm. It was horrible. I was miserable and I really figured to die would be better.

The doctor proposed the complete AV node ablation. Honestly, I had never heard of it before. Things happened very quickly after that. When I came back from the procedure, I immediately felt better than I had felt in months.

It has now been six months and the only medication I am taking is apixaban. I’ve lost 40lbs and I feel better than I have in years. I feel like the pacemaker is a miracle. It actually IS a miracle. I can exercise now and I have forgotten about the constant worry of going into afib.

I am on Medicare and I also have a Mutual of Omaha Medicare supplement. I don’t know what the doctors have to try first, second, third, etc…. BUT, they should have put the pacemaker in a long time ago!

I can only speak for myself. The pacemaker has given me my life back. People say that if you get a pacemaker, it is a bad thing because then you will always be pacemaker dependent. Being pacemaker dependent is a lot better than depending on an unreliable cardiac electrical conduction system. It worked well for me. I wish I could have gotten it much sooner.

Good luck with your situation.

Thanks for sharing. I may need a pacemaker per my EP who was very discouraged after my last (4th) ablation when my heart was beating 200 BPM in the recovery area immediately following my 4th ablation. Luckily my EP and anesthesiologist were right there and they cardioverted me (my 17th cardioversion since May, 2021 when this all began).
After being in recovery, I was admitted to the ICU. My EP spoke to my husband about an AV node ablation and dual chamber pacemaker immediately. My husband said he would want me to say yes to that. Instead, he ordered Tikosyn and began the 3 day loading for Tikosyn. I'm currently on Tikosyn 250 mcg. Tikosyn has given me my life back. I am feeling better than I have ever felt since May 2021. I am back to walking 6K+ steps/day at the park with hills.
However, it seems Tikosyn stops working for a lot of people. If it stops working for me, pacemaker is the next step and I have been dreading that. As you stated, I always thought being pacemaker dependent would be a bad thing. I truly appreciate your insight with how well your pacemaker is working for you. Your post helps me realize that a pacemaker is a safe and effective way to get my life back if Tikosyn stops working. Thank you so much!