Connect
Cryogenic balloon catheter ablation
After 7 months on Eliquis & Metoprolol, I’ve scheduled an ablation in November, as recommended by my EP. Just wondering if anyone here on Mayo Connect has undergone this particular type ablation. Thanks!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
No, but I am also considering an ablation soon and have started consults with several EP's and also patients. One close friend of mine recommended his EP very highly and claimed "perfect" results from a cryo-ablation now several years ago. While it appears that the cryo method is far less common than RF for cardiac ablations, I have been unable so far to find any hard data on outcomes and only one patient who had one as noted. The EP who performs them here in RI is well thought of generally and busy though. Like most surgical procedures, it appears that your choice of EP/Surgeon is the critical variable. The book "AFIB Cure" by John Day MD has a whole chapter on questions you should pose to your prospective EP and much insight on how to select one.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsJust had my second cryo-ablation two days ago-- First was performed in January 2022 which is apparently successful (pulmonary veins). Second was required for Atrial Flutter in the right atrium but while in there mapped the heart and found two other areas in the left that he did also. Was as outpatient - procedure was about three hours with recovery about the same and all is well at this time. IN at 11:30 (1 hour of prep) 12:30 surgery and home by 6:30.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThat was great, thanks. Any other factors that may have weighed on your decision to go the Cryo route would be interesting. Was it simply the way your EP was most comfortable doing it?
Ted, here's a 2021 trial with 203 patients.
- Cryoballoon Ablation as Initial Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2029554
Excerpt:
"In this randomized, multicenter trial, the initial use of cryoballoon ablation was superior to drug therapy for the prevention of atrial arrhythmia recurrence, with 75% of patients in the cryoballoon group and 45% of patients in the drug-therapy group having treatment success at 12 months."
@tct, did you see @warbru's helpful post? What questions do you have about cryoballoon ablation?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMostly, just curious as to others experience with this procedure. For instance did they need a repeat ablation?; were they able to stop medication?; did it stop PVC’s and SVT’s?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionstill have to take metoprolol and Eliquis afterwards?
Colleen, thank you for the link to the study on cryoballoon ablation v. anti-arrhythmic drug therapy. It confirms the strong recommendations in "AFIB Cure" about having the procedure done earlier. I was first diagnosed with AFIB following/during hip replacement surgery now seven years ago, and while paroxysmal, it has become much more frequent and bothersome recently as records of my testing at Mayo-Jacksonville attest.
I have an appointment on November 10 with Melinda Barber APRN and I intend to make my case for having an ablation ASAP. I have not consulted directly with any EP at Mayo yet and I am concerned about the method they employ and their experience and outcomes with the procedure. It is quite plain to me that I should have considered this treatment sooner in the condition, but it was never recommended by my cardiologist, probably due to now outdated protocols suggesting drug treatment first, or technology advances in the safety and efficacy of the procedure. I'm ready now.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionit is my EP’s preferred method—
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes —- at least until we see how successful the procedure is
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionEPS preferred method