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Any AV Ablation success stories?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
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!
Replies to "Thanks for sharing. I may need a pacemaker per my EP who was very discouraged after..."
I hope the Tikosyn (Dofetilide) continues to work for you. I am 82 years old and was in persistent Afib for six months before it was under control. Rate control did not work and because I have Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, I opted to try antiarrhythmic meds before ablation as they don't work well with ApHcm. I loaded with Tikosyn in September of 2023 and other than infrequent self limiting episodes it has worked for me with no side effects. My Mayo cardiologist added Jardiance last year because of my ApHcm and I have only had two short (six hour) episodes since. I, too, take 250 mcg twice a day. I did just have a pacemaker (not AV node) placed this past week because of resting heart rate in the 40s. The pacemaker is because the low heart rate can be a problem with the Tikosyn. It, somewhere down the road, Tikosyn stops working, I may be looking at an AV Node ablation. Like you, I am hoping this doesn't happen, but it would be better than Afib with high heart rate. Good luck with your Afib journey,
@jordane71
Please do not worry about a pacemaker. I had one implanted 5 years ago due to extremely low heartrates from amiodarone. A pacemaker is like a generator which "kicks in" when needed. If your rate falls too low, the pacemaker will keep your heart beating as it should.
However, a pacemaker does not stop AFIB. I had multiple episodes of AFIB (all with RVR - Rapid Ventricular Response) after I had my pacemaker. After (like you) many cardioversions and being on most of the meds to control AFIB (non of which worked successfully), my doctor recommended the AV Node Ablation. I strongly resisted! I did NOT want to be pacemaker dependent!
However, like James 78900, I had the procedure about a year ago and am so happy that I did. I heard people say it is a "last resort" procedure, and I was terrified! However, once I had it - also like James 78900, I was relieved of the constant worry that I would go into AFIB! I emptied my purse of the Propafenone which I was taking three times a day. I am still on Xarelto because the atria can (and mine did) go into AFIB. So, it is important to prevent a stroke.
Do keep in mind, however, that pacemakers may need to be "tweaked" because the default settings are not for everyone. Mine had my heart rate too low for exertion and had to be adjusted, so that my rate would allow me to exert without getting short of breath.
You may find this video helpful; I did: https://www.youtube.com/watch
Good luck with your decisions!
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@jordane71 You have a sensible orientation to this. When all else fails, even amiodarone or Dofetilide (Tikosyn), and you would rather live, thanks very much, a pacemaker is all that's left. They are as universally accepted and used as sliced bread. Millions in operation, safe, reliable, operation around the globe.