PACs after ablation

I’m scheduled for my first ablation tomorrow morning, nearly 12 months after my first AFIB episode. My question to others who have had this procedure: were you able to reduce or eliminate dependence on Metoprolol (or similar drugs)? How about blood thinners?

I've had epusodes of AFib since late 2914, which have gradually become more consistent in recent years. I believe I had mild COVID in February 2020 before tests were available. After that, especially as summer arrived and since then, they became even more frequent, sometimes as long as two weeks apart and sometimes just days apart. I take Metoprolol Succinate 50 mg once daily. I also take about 400 mg magnesium and drink coconut water for the potassium, which seemed to help for awhile. But after my husband's stroke in 2014 also, I started living more anxiously and so recently I'd heard that Klonopin could help people with AFib from relieving the anxiety. I only take between ,25 to.05 mg daily. This was a huge difference in the amount of AFib attacks and when they did come, even the several hours kind was easier to tolerate. I'm not on blood thinners. Low Chad score and when I tried one it made my stomach so upset that it precipitated AFib. So my cardiologist said I probably didn't need it anyway. I did have two several hours episodes in October. One 7 hrs on Oct. 6 and one 3 hr on Oct 8. Since then, my kardiamibile has only recorded me having normal rhythm with supraventricular ectopy, sometimes after eating or toward evening. But I feel like I can't do as much or I wear out easier these days. Also, this happens nearly every day at some point. I almost wish for the AFib back as usually after a big episode, it sort of reset everything for a few weeks and I felt good. Anyone else go from having mostly AFib to having mostly supraventricular ectopy or occasional ventricular ectopy? I just don't know if this means it's getting better or worse.

Thank you for this. I had a double ablation 7 weeks ago. Cryo for afib and RF where they addressed 2 areas of “PAC morphologies.” Since I’d only had three episodes of Afib almost a year ago I have no idea how successful that was. But I had two weeks completely free of all PACs and it was miraculous to have a calm heart for the first time in 50 years. Then all of a sudden they came back with a vengeance. I have been so disheartened and my EP just said when they ablate one area for PAC new ones can pop up. They are so bad it’s very hard to go to sleep and being overtired has always been a trigger. Then I get upset and that’s a trigger. I am harboring a hope that it’s just part of the so called “blanking” period but then why did I have two amazing weeks of freedom from arrhythmias? I know they are not dangerous, I’ve had them most my life. But not like what I have now which is relentless. And very pronounced.

Cappcoach, how are you doing now since the ablation for Afib and PAC? Did the PACs calm down? Did you take metoprolol or flecainide? I’m experiencing something similar—Relentless PACs 2 weeks after afib RF ablation. Let me know!

I had an ablation in July '24 and my PACs worsened significantly after the procedure and triggered Afib, A-flutter and atrial tachycardia. I am now on amiodarone and metoprolol to control rhythm/rate. Amiodarone isn't a great option, it's known as a "last resort" medication and has harsh long term side effects on other organs. I was previously on dofetilide (another anti-arrhythmic) which didn't control my symptoms and is the reason they went to amiodarone. Whichever treatment you end up having, I wish you good luck and hope you feel better soon! (F, 42, tricuspid atresia/Fontan patient)