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Flutter Ablation Versus Conservative Treatment First

Posted by gregkogan @gregkogan, Apr 10 10:05pm

Hi All,
I am 72 years old and for years I had irregular ECG which could also be called as a family history since my dad always had it as well.
After visiting my cardiologist a couple months ago to get clearance for simple cataract surgery I was told that based on latest ECG the conditions got worse and I was also told to start taking Eliquis asap to get ready for flutter ablation procedure which is low risk, high success procedure, etc. so at this point I am still considering whether I should go ahead with it or get the second opinion to see if any other conservative options (medications which I never had until now) ) could be on the table instead of doing flutter ablation.
So wondering if anyone was facing choices like this and what decisions were made

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gloaming | @gloaming | May 28 11:54am
In reply to @gregkogan "Finally I had Flutter Ablation procedure done last Friday (May 22) A couple day after ablation..." + (show)
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Finally I had Flutter Ablation procedure done last Friday (May 22)
A couple day after ablation the rate was pretty stable in normal range but last two day I am getting very low rate (two times below 40 according to my Apple Watch which noted to be very accurate.
I will be definitely reaching out to doctors but just wondering if anybody else had the same experience during recovery

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@gregkogan It is possible the ablation has left you in bradycardia, but that can be corrected with a pacemaker if it comes to that. We're in danger of putting the cart ahead of the horse, though...you're only a week into your blanking period of....ten/twelve weeks...what did they tell you? Most pamphlets handed to patients leaving a cath lab say that you should expect blips of this or that arrhythmia during this healing period, after which a Holter monitor or equivalent will be worn by you for a day/several days to see how your heart is behaving.

Your best medicine right now is to take it easy, enjoy the ride, hope for the best, and don't be annoyed or dismayed by the odd short run of whatever arrhythmia. In fact, you WANT your blips of arrhythmia now, and for the next two/three weeks, and NOT later in the blanking period when everything had been going swimmingly and suddenly you're having runs of arrhythmia....that is a poor prognosis. No, you would much rather your heart protest over its treatment and new 'feelings' early in the blanking period and settle down over time. That is what the healing should be like.

Be optimistic, pace yourself, don't fret, and believe that your surgeon knew what he/she was doing.

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gregkogan | @gregkogan | May 28 4:57pm
In reply to @gloaming "@gregkogan It is possible the ablation has left you in bradycardia, but that can be corrected..." + (show)
Profile picture for gloaming @gloaming

@gregkogan It is possible the ablation has left you in bradycardia, but that can be corrected with a pacemaker if it comes to that. We're in danger of putting the cart ahead of the horse, though...you're only a week into your blanking period of....ten/twelve weeks...what did they tell you? Most pamphlets handed to patients leaving a cath lab say that you should expect blips of this or that arrhythmia during this healing period, after which a Holter monitor or equivalent will be worn by you for a day/several days to see how your heart is behaving.

Your best medicine right now is to take it easy, enjoy the ride, hope for the best, and don't be annoyed or dismayed by the odd short run of whatever arrhythmia. In fact, you WANT your blips of arrhythmia now, and for the next two/three weeks, and NOT later in the blanking period when everything had been going swimmingly and suddenly you're having runs of arrhythmia....that is a poor prognosis. No, you would much rather your heart protest over its treatment and new 'feelings' early in the blanking period and settle down over time. That is what the healing should be like.

Be optimistic, pace yourself, don't fret, and believe that your surgeon knew what he/she was doing.

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@gloaming Thanks, as usual, for quick response.
Everything you stated in your reply is correct.
The pacemaker was offered and Carnation Ambulatory Monitor monitor was installed for 3 days to collect the data.
I hope that things would get better but it didn't seem like the doctor feels this way even he didn't say it.
What clear is having the heart rate 50 all the time and even temporary below 40 is not a good option, therefore decision should be made relative soon.

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cmcouture | @cmcouture | May 29 9:41am

Mine was a little high after r side flutter ablation.

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gregkogan | @gregkogan | May 30 4:23pm

I had actually some improvements with the heart rate so now it is jumping up and down (45-58-and even higher) the same picture with with the BP which is not very high but higher then normal (148/94 or so).
The same hope is still exist - it is going to improve since it is only 8 days after ablation

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