Ablation Success

I had the burning but was the first for a new piece of equipment at Mayo.

@nightwalker18 The research I did showed that cryo-ablation was not as successful as RF ablation for PVI ablation. Please advise.

I had an ablation about 4 weeks ago..was relatively new onset paroxysmal afib...after three clear weeks had a 30 hour event that stopped by itself...concerned the ablation was not successful but doc said need to wait through the blanking period..seems like a long transient event, but doc said don"t be discouraged....could be the lesions are not healed yet, but could also mean there is a gap or re-connection...anyone have a similar experience?...starting to think I may have to have a second procedure...

@kai Hi and Welcome To Connect. I see this is your first post so i will just mention that connect is a forum of patients and caregivers that share there own experiences and we are not Medical Personnel. Its a place to meet others with similar experiences and to share ideas.
I will say that for me I've had a few Ablations and it varies as to how long you will feel some symptom's. For me it was usually based on how much they had to ablate. I use to comment that my heart was not happy and was letting me know.
But usually it would desapate over a few weeks and it sounds like yours were better right after then got worse. So you may want to ask your Doctor about that. On the possibility of doing more that is possible, I remember after my first one i was still having some arrhythmias more than my doctor liked and suggested a second one a year later. But he did give me the option to just try more medication or the ablation. I decided on the ablation and it was very successful. one thing they usually say is they like to wait at least 3 months before doing another one.
So i hope that helps if you have any further questions ill be more than happy to answer.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

thanks for your feedback....hopefully over the next few weeks we will not see any further episodes...doc was very positive after the ablation, but could tell he felt a 30 hour episode after two weeks was long, and could indicate a gap in the lesion...but needs more time...

seems like the my symptoms have changed somewhat in the last week or so...I have been having palpitations for a few days but the heartbeat seems to be regular and not racing..I checked it on the kardia, and sent them to the doc who confirmed I was in sinus rhythm....I am four weeks out from the ablation...seems like this is a different type of arrhythmia either due to the heart healing or perhaps the anti-rhythm meds the doc gave me two weeks ago...hoping they stop on there own...has anyone experienced this?

@kai Hi and you mention different are they bothersome ? The other thing that you will probably beguin to realize is you can have what i was told once of phantom symptoms which is basically your mind replaying issues that aren't really there. That's when i got real good at checking my pulse. If it was just a memory your pulse will feel normal. I actually used to yell at myself (lol) to stop overthinking things. I was told part of the problem can be you are now noticing what your Heart is doing which for most would be normal but because we are keenly aware we notice them more. Like im told the average person has arrhythmias and skipped beats but doesn't really notice them and are short in duration. But also if it seems abnormal always let you doctor know. At least for me when it was something that needed immediate attention i would feel out of breath and my pulse would almost stop. I hope that helps.
Dana

thanks...interesting thought...although my oximeter indicates a pulse rate of 35bpm when I feel the palpitations..sent doc the kardia ekg, and he says they are pacs....so perhaps, a different arrhythmia after the ablation either from the heart healing or maybe the medication(I started flecainaid and metropol after the AFib episode 2 weeks ago...he wanted me to take it for next 30-60 days...but for sure the palpitations are not phantom...I am in very good shape, no co-morbidies, work out 3 -4 times per week .... never out of breath even when I had the AFib episodes... ..but I guess only 4 weeks since ablation, so maybe need some more time....very frustrating!

Kai - Wish you well and yes need to wait through the blanking period. Things can change. Your doc may schedule you for a cardioversion at some point. That can work. Often a second ablation may be needed.

My first ablation, cryo to isolate pulmonary veins, failed in 2 days. Seattle hospital. A cardioversion followed about 6 weeks later. Good for 20 days. Then, after scheduling a second ablation, my heart seemed to progressively improve to the point I questioned if second was needed? Almost cancelled. (Use a Kardia mobile & pulse to monitor, since asymptomatic). These appointments take time to get. So proceeded - Tests and a consultation at Mayo Rochester led to a second ablation. Catheter heat used with extensive mapping. Doctors reported two pulmonary veins were leaking as well as a third spot. A gap or re-growth ? Continued on Diltiazem and Xarelto. Now in sinus rhythm going on 7 months. Very pleased and hoping for the best.
Wish you the best Kai. Hopefully your heart will settle down. Try not to worry as stress can be a trigger.
ray

Hi Kai - Had not seen your most recent postings when wrote my last. I did experience changes as heart healed during blanking. Was told not to worry about PAC's or a few skipped beats. Fairly normal if not excessive and don't impact you. Does not sound like a problem for you. Big thing we all experience is worry and stress as Dana pointed out. In fact my doc scolded me for using the kardia to often. Give it some time to fully heal and try to relax. I know, easily said - ha
ray