Failed ablation

My sister had 2 ablations they didn’t work. Why don’t see EP or cardiologist to what their recommendations are?

Thank you for the suggestions, but I have seen a cardiologist who specializes in the electrical components of the heart. Will probably have to have a second ablation after this one heals.

My first (called an 'index...') ablation failed at Day Six post ablation. I had to be placed on amiodarone, and that meant stopping metoprolol immediately. I settled down, and life was good for about five weeks post weaning off the amiodarone at the eighth week. I had the Holter Monitor about two weeks after ceasing the amiodarone to see what was going on, and all it showed were a lot of PACs (premature atrial contractions, which come with strong thumps in the chest wall). About five weeks later, I got more AF and had my Samsung Galaxy watch take a reading. I downloaded it, shipped it off electronically to my EP, and he immediately agreed that I had a recurrence of AF. Second ablation came in February, 2023, six months after the index. He later told me he was making lesions, fresh ones, around the third pulmonary vein when my heart resumed NSR on its own. They stood and watched, my heart was happy, and he realized that this spot was what had not closed off with fully fibrosed tissue (scar tissue), and so there was a gap in the circular wall of 'zaps' he'd made the first go. (Those zaps, burns, spread out a bit and then become scar tissue over the next couple of weeks, but mine didn't quite close off that one small gap, letting some electrical signal through in the wrong way...from out of the pulmonary vein ostium).
It should be understood that, across even the best EPs around the globe, the failure rate for an index ablation is between 70-85%, with those very best enjoying the higher number of success rate. You and I are both in the unlucky club.
My suggestion: get a redo within the next year. The same EP might be a good way to go, but you can always fish for another, especially if that person is highly sought because he/she is that good. The experience and skill of the EP is paramount, and that is what we at afibbers.org forum encourage people to consider.

If you live near and can travel to Raleigh, NC, contact this office to send your test results, especially the latest echo, to the great cardiac surgeon, Dr. Byron Boulton; set up a consultation visit, perhaps by phone. He is Director of the WakeMed Structural Heart Program at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC. Phone (919) 231-6333. I had a serious regurgitation problem (caused by a gum/dental infection) and AFIB. He repaired my mitral valve, did an LAAC, and did an ablation to cure my AFIB. That was over three years ago. I am as fine as wine, off all meds too, except for 4 amoxicillin before dental visits. I am an 81-year-old male, just a kid.
Regards,
Sagan

Thank you taking the time to respond. Unfortunately we
live in Wisconsin.

Thank you for sharing; I was convinced that I had to have an ablation and now I am not sure that it is the "cure" that I thought I would be getting. I had a long conversation with the excellent electrophysiologist that my cardiologist recommended. He did not tell me that I couldn't have an ablation but he gave me the option of trying an anti-arrhythmic medication first. I agreed to give it a shot; I have made many life-style changes in addition to attempt to control the "triggers" but have found that it is sometimes impossible to determine what sets it off. I have been without any symptoms for several weeks so I am cautiously optomistic but I think everyone has to weigh their options and decide what they can live with. Some folks say that the arrhythmias don't bother them that much. They drive me nuts so I really want to contain this condition. I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a good doc who will really listen to your concerns. Everyone is different in this A-fib experience.

You have not mentioned diet which can be the cause. If you are consuming ANYTHING containing caffeine, eliminate all, coffee, tea ,Mountain Dew, chocolate, colas etc, plus high sugar and wheat diet.

If you already have eliminated, fine. It is a suggestion from someone who cannot have even one half cup of coffee or heart jumps around like a ping pong ball. And that began before the age of 20.

I hesitate to recommend another ablation. I had similar circumstances and ended up having 4 ablations and I’m still taking meds or I’d be in the ER to convert every couple of days. Maybe get a different doctor’s opinion? I changed mine finally, he came highly recommended but still I he couldn’t fix me.

Wow. 2 doctors, 4 ablations and not fixed? What are they telling you about why it’s not fixed? Do you have paroxysmal, persistent or permanent afib?

I had an ablation (cryo), which worked great until my mitral valve got bad enough to kick it off again. Mitral valve repair pretty much took care of the problem (a couple short episodes in the last couple years.
My brother had two ablations, which didn't take care of it; he was pretty bad off, short of breath, no energy, etc. ...then had a "third" where they went in from outside the heart, then after that healed, went back inside to do a little more work (not sure what that procedure(s?) is called?. It has worked great for him - no more afib. However, I've been told by a cardiologist that A-fib is a bit unpredictable. ... all the best.