Ablation for Afib

Posted by mec151 @mec151, May 16 10:21am

I’m looking for shared experiences with folks who have had only one or two AFib occurrences over six months. I am in that situation right now where I had two AFib episodes in November 24 and am being encouraged to have an ablation. Currently, I am not on any meds. But, if I should have an episode I have a med protocol of metoprolol and eliquis. I monitor 24/7 with an Apple Watch and an Oura. Any advice on how to reduce the chance of recurrence? I’m not thrilled about the ablation.

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@californiazebra

@rob960yellow
Rob, I checked the YouTube channel which led me to his website afibeducationcenter.com and WOW! I’ve watched several videos so far and the EP’s explanations are amazing! I’m now understanding more about why success rates vary and why it’s so important to have the right EP. You can access the videos using the hamburger (3 horizontal lines) in the top right corner of the website. Can’t wait to watch more. For those with afib who like to be informed, this website is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Thanks for sharing, Rob!!!

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No problem! He has really helped me understand the progression of AFib and how important it is to have the ablation before it gets to the "persistent" and "permanent" stages.

The PF portion of my ablation only took around an hour. PF is much quicker than traditional methods of ablation. However, I also had another area of SVT that they wanted to map and treat. The total time I was under anesthesia was about three hours.

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@rob960yellow

No problem! He has really helped me understand the progression of AFib and how important it is to have the ablation before it gets to the "persistent" and "permanent" stages.

The PF portion of my ablation only took around an hour. PF is much quicker than traditional methods of ablation. However, I also had another area of SVT that they wanted to map and treat. The total time I was under anesthesia was about three hours.

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Good info. Thanks for the reply.

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I had a PFA done at UC Health in Denver on Friday 05/23. Great facility (really big) and the care could not have been better. As far as the ablation goes it was successful. I don't have the write up yet from the doctor, but the procedure took about 4 hours. After the initial ablation, they got my heart back into Afib so they could find other potential areas for ablation. While doing this they found problems associated with flutter in both the left and right atrial and so more ablation. That was the reason for the 4 hour procedure. They accessed the heart through two places on both side of my groin so I have two small incisions that will need to heal. I have no real pain and the only thing I feel is a little sluggish which was probably caused by all of the walking I had to do at the airport in Denver on Sunday. I am more than happy with the procedure that was done and the results. I will be on Eliquis and metoprolol for some period of time and then off of both of these meds.

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@suerte

I had a PFA done at UC Health in Denver on Friday 05/23. Great facility (really big) and the care could not have been better. As far as the ablation goes it was successful. I don't have the write up yet from the doctor, but the procedure took about 4 hours. After the initial ablation, they got my heart back into Afib so they could find other potential areas for ablation. While doing this they found problems associated with flutter in both the left and right atrial and so more ablation. That was the reason for the 4 hour procedure. They accessed the heart through two places on both side of my groin so I have two small incisions that will need to heal. I have no real pain and the only thing I feel is a little sluggish which was probably caused by all of the walking I had to do at the airport in Denver on Sunday. I am more than happy with the procedure that was done and the results. I will be on Eliquis and metoprolol for some period of time and then off of both of these meds.

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@suerte
Great news that your ablation went well and you feel good. Nice to have that behind you.

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Iwas also diagnosed with Afib in Nov. 24. I was told I had to be on blood thinner for 4 weeks before I could get a cardioversion! I begged to get it sooner! Cardioversion on 12/04 and did okay for 5 months! Mother's Day had a 5 hour episode and a week later another episode lasting 8 hours! I insisted on being referred to an electrophysiologist! I will be begging for an ablation! Repeated occurrences can mean the ectopic foci are spreading! I take Cardizem, blood thinner, Magnesium, have controlled B/P, no heart conditions, drink no alcohol, drink 1/2 caf coffee, no diabetes, not overweight, exercise every day, nothing to explain this condition except age! I am totally disgusted and fed up with the fear of another attack! I want my best chance at a decent outcome and I am seeking a pulse field ablation ASAP!

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@sjm46

Iwas also diagnosed with Afib in Nov. 24. I was told I had to be on blood thinner for 4 weeks before I could get a cardioversion! I begged to get it sooner! Cardioversion on 12/04 and did okay for 5 months! Mother's Day had a 5 hour episode and a week later another episode lasting 8 hours! I insisted on being referred to an electrophysiologist! I will be begging for an ablation! Repeated occurrences can mean the ectopic foci are spreading! I take Cardizem, blood thinner, Magnesium, have controlled B/P, no heart conditions, drink no alcohol, drink 1/2 caf coffee, no diabetes, not overweight, exercise every day, nothing to explain this condition except age! I am totally disgusted and fed up with the fear of another attack! I want my best chance at a decent outcome and I am seeking a pulse field ablation ASAP!

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I hope you can schedule an ablation asap. Please keep us posted if you can. Wishing you the best possible outcome.

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What concern do you have about an ablation?

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@abob

My husband has been on Keytruda for almost 1 year and Afibs started a couple of months ago. He just had ablations which eliminated fatigue and lack of appetite. We have requested that Onc & EP drs discuss ongoing treatment(s).

Did you continue cancer med? If so, affect on Afib?

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I had 3 episodes over 6 months (dizzy) after 3rd spell Cardio said it was afib and changed BP med. It was a disaster ended up in emergency after going up to 175/90+
Put back on old med asked Dr to do blood work and came back low potassium. Corrected this as info on Internet said could cause AFIB?
Any input on potassium and AFIB?

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@ballymacahara

I had 3 episodes over 6 months (dizzy) after 3rd spell Cardio said it was afib and changed BP med. It was a disaster ended up in emergency after going up to 175/90+
Put back on old med asked Dr to do blood work and came back low potassium. Corrected this as info on Internet said could cause AFIB?
Any input on potassium and AFIB?

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Thx for your reply. Just quickly checked his past and recent potassium readings - normal.

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@maestramackenzie

What concern do you have about an ablation?

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I had (and still have) no concerns about an ablation. I really pushed to have the ablation procedure done. I am big on fixing the problem (doing ablation) rather than just dealing with the results of the problem (lots of meds).

I went to UC Health in Denver because they use Pulse Filed Ablation (PFA). Less intrusive and higher success rate. I would really recommend that you go to a facility that does the PFA. While the other methods work, PFA is a far better procedure.

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