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AV Node Ablation Pros and Cons

Posted by dalewhit @dalewhit, Feb 4 5:11pm

I am scheduled for AVNode Ablation early March. Has anyone had one?
I have had 2 cardiac ablations and am on sotalol and metoprolol. I have had no afib for 9 months but continue to have intermittent episodes of tachycardia at rates in the 120's and 130's. I already have a pacemaker - since 12/22 for bradycardia probably caused by amioderone which also elevated my liver enzymes.
This is a "last resort" procedure and I am concerned that I will continue to have symptoms of afib (which AV Node ablation does not cure).
I am an almost 83 female and am otherwise in good health except for arthritis. Another question: Will having this procedure make for complications in the event I have a knee replacement.
All thoughts and experiences much appreciated!
Dalewhit

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applesforall5370 | @applesforall5370 | Oct 21 9:33am
In reply to @treeman1942 "I'm a soon-to-be 82-year-old male. I've had A/Fib for the last several months and one cardioversion..." + (show)
@treeman1942

I'm a soon-to-be 82-year-old male. I've had A/Fib for the last several months and one cardioversion last November, which worked for four days; it was performed at the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids, MI. I'm slated for an on-site review of my records and additional tests at the Mayo Rochester Clinic on 15 February. I'll be fitted with a heart apparatus for a day, echograms, etc. I'm curious as to how many ablations are okayed after the pre-exams.

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You are in good hands at Meijer Heart & Mayo. Follow your path it sent me there.

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1 reply
trudybeth | @trudybeth | Oct 23 10:42am

Hi—very similar situation, 83F with 20 year history of afib. Tried all treatments to no avail and now Dr proposing AV node ablation with pacemaker. Not convinced. How has yours worked out since March? Thanks in advance for your time.

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emo44 | @emo44 | Oct 24 12:59pm
In reply to @applesforall5370 "You are in good hands at Meijer Heart & Mayo. Follow your path it sent me..." + (show)
@applesforall5370

You are in good hands at Meijer Heart & Mayo. Follow your path it sent me there.

Jump to this post

You are in good hands at Mayo. I am 80-year-old female. I presented with persistent Afib with rvr in March of 2023 and was referred to the Mayo hear rhythm clinic by my cardiologist in the HCM clinic at Mayo. At my consult with the EP in the heart rhythm clinic I was offered either antiarrhythmic meds or ablation (already tried rate control which didn't work). I asked which he recommended and he said meds as ablation is irreversible. So, I went with Dofetilide (Tikosyn) which took a three day stay in hospital to be "loaded," So have now been in sinus rhythm for 13 months except for one 7 day breakthrough which self converted. Good luck.

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1 reply
dalewhit | @dalewhit | Oct 24 1:28pm
In reply to @emo44 "You are in good hands at Mayo. I am 80-year-old female. I presented with persistent Afib..." + (show)
@emo44

You are in good hands at Mayo. I am 80-year-old female. I presented with persistent Afib with rvr in March of 2023 and was referred to the Mayo hear rhythm clinic by my cardiologist in the HCM clinic at Mayo. At my consult with the EP in the heart rhythm clinic I was offered either antiarrhythmic meds or ablation (already tried rate control which didn't work). I asked which he recommended and he said meds as ablation is irreversible. So, I went with Dofetilide (Tikosyn) which took a three day stay in hospital to be "loaded," So have now been in sinus rhythm for 13 months except for one 7 day breakthrough which self converted. Good luck.

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Thanks for your reply. The 2 ablations I had left me with episodes of tachycardia. No afib since Sotalol (also in hospital to start) prescribed in April ‘23. The AV Node would eliminate the tachycardia but cause other structural heart issues. A dilemma!

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