Any Ablation Success Stories?

Statistically, with variance due to skill of the electrophysiologist in question AND in the complexity/stage of progression of the patient, the average success rate for first (called 'index') ablations if about 75-80%. Second attempts do a bit better, about 80-85%. The very best EPs have better results because they can subdue the complexity of the more advanced and complex cases (as our hearts age, and as our atrial fibrillation/flutter goes on, it becomes more difficult to treat because more areas in them generate the rogue cells that compete with the sino-atrial node (SA node).
It took two tries, seven months apart, to find the tiny gap in the lesion 'dam' that the EP made the first time. As he was zapping my third pulmonary vein, my heart lurched into reliable normal sinus, and they knew they had found that tiny gap they'd missed. But remember, 75-80% of all index ablations are successful. I am now 29 months free of AF.
I am unsure of why you must be on Dofetilide if your ablation succeeds. Perhaps you have known complexity, advanced stage of arrhythmia....it is beyond me. In the heavy majority of cases, the patient might be on propafenone or Flecainide for a few weeks to help the heart calm and heal, and then they go off it for two or more weeks before the confirmatory Holter monitor assessment, which takes place near 10-12 weeks post op. Some need the extra 'insurance', some just need metoprolol for a few weeks and nothing more. It depends on the EP and the patient.
I don't know if you know it already, but Tikosyn requires (normally) at least two-three days of administration in hospital on startup because it can have serious side effects. Whatever you are told to expect and to do, though, THAT is your prescription, and please follow it to the letter.
I am no longer a competitive or recreational runner. I was doing some of that before my first ablation, but not since. I do walk aggressively, sometimes jogging, and I often climb two flights of steep steps on an oceanside bluff, each flight approx 160 steps. I am 73, and by the time I'm halfway up the first flight I am at 140 BPM. So, theoretically maxed out. And this goes on for the next six minutes or more with no hiccups. Hopefully, some weeks/months after your (successful) ablation you can look forward to a similar effort, relatively. Note that it really depends on your risk factors and on why you developed the arrhythmia in the first place. If, as some find, it was due to intense exercise, maybe also too long, then.....................

Thanks for sharing this info. Its very helpful.

Can you say who your EP was?

Had an ablation about 2 1/2 years ago. Been holding my own, and I'm only on Eliquis, Losartan, and Metoprolol. I'm working out or walking 6 days a week. Feel good!

I am having an ablation in 2 weeks because of AFIB. Amiodarone would control but the side effects were worse than the AFIB. My EP suggested The Watchman after the ablation When I told him I did not want to take any drug for the rest of my life. Any thoughts?

I had an ablation and was completely off any drugs for almost 2 years. Then a mitral valve leak (regurgitation) caused my afib to recur. I had a mitral valve repair and have been afib free except for a couple short episodes for over a year. I'm still taking flecainide and eliquis, but don't have any side effects. After my ablation, I went to Nepal for 2 months of trekking, climbing to a bit over 18,000 feet; I'm heading off for a 3 week backpacking trip next week. So yes, you can have a very active life after afib. Whether you stay off drugs or not depends on your specific circumstances and your cardiologist.

One of my brothers had an ablation and is off all drugs - very active lifestyle. Another brother had an ablation (he had 3 ablations) and after the last the cardiologist (EP) took him off all drugs; his regular cardiologist put him back on eliquis; he is completely afib free.
Will all this last for all of us? We'll see, but all three of us are completely happy that we had it done.

gloaming...did you mean the average SUCCESS rate for first ablations is about 75-80% ?

Oops, yes, I switched orientation to the question obviously as I typed. I did mean that the average success rate is 75%-85%, not the failure rate. Perhaps one of the mods would be kind enough to change the first appearance of 'failure' to the word 'success?' I'll ask...
Thanks for being vigilant, nevets. Gold star to you. 😀

If the Watchman seals properly, and it almost always does (if installed correctly), it does a good job of sealing off the LAA. If so, with a confirmatory TEE at about six months, then you and the EP may agree to forego the DOAC. However, you might be wise, especially if older, to consider the full benefits of a DOAC. If you sit a lot, say at a computer or watching TV, you're older than 65 or so, depending on your overall condition, or you have one or more other comorbidities, you might be wiser to stay on a DOAC. Something to discuss at length with your EP or family doctor.

If you meant to ask me this question, it was an EP in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. His name is Paul Novak. Part of the Pulse Cardiology team/network of working electrophysiologists and cardiologists.

I had a successful pulse field ablation performed on 23 May 2025 by University of Colorado Health in Aurora, Colorado. The cardio team and UC Health are rated as one of the best in the western part of the US. I was on metoprolol for about 60 days. No longer taking this or any other heart rhythm medications. I was taking Eliquis before the PFA and continue to take Eliquis. I am taking Eliquis not necessarily because of the chance of the return of Afib but because of the risk of stroke that is age related. I am over 75, and the https://www.chadsvasc.org/ score says I am at risk for a blood clot related stroke.