Had Pulse Field Ablation 2 days ago. Now what?

It sounds a little brusk to me, but these EPs are very tech focused and often the APRN or an assistant will take responsibility for answering your questions. I had a pulse field ablation in November, 2025; I also was taken off my medication (Amlodipine) immediately. I never saw the EP again, but the assistant told me I was to go home, take it easy and that I could restart exercises at the gym gradually in a week to 10 days. I had some PACs occasionally during the first 6 weeks that concerned me but I had no A-fib episodes. The APRN that I saw on that first visit was pretty flippant about the PACs but she told me it would take "three months from the ablation before it could be considered a 'failure'." My regular cardiologist told me the PACs were "no big deal" and that lots of people have them--even young people and to not be worried. By 3 months after ablation I was feeling fine, very rare PACs and the APRN that I saw that time was the one who was in the operating room when I had the procedure. He was reassuring, positive and told me that (as I suspected by reading my EPs operative notes on my chart) the doc had done a very thorough job of checking for all the possible trigger points for A-fib, not just the usual pulmonary vein areas. He told me that the pulse field ablation techniques are being perfected all the time; he wasn't surprised I was doing well. Now that really helped reduce my anxiety! So try to relax, think positive, do all the lifestyle adjustments that are recommended--avoid too much caffeine, all alcohol, heavy or salty meals, get regular exercise after a week or so, get plenty of sleep, watch you weight and relax! I hope you are as "fixed" as I am; I am 80 years old and I feel great, go to the gym for 90 minutes daily, ride my bike, hike, clean my house, garden and travel. If you need to restart any meds, you can check after you go for your follow-up! Best wishes! I can tell you how pleased I am with my results and I hope you are fortunate too!

@fdixon63

What dose of Amiodarone were you on when told to stop. I have been on Amiocarone now twice. First time I had to come off slowly over several months. I don't remember the does I was on but it took several months to wean me off.

I am amiodarone again since June. I am having another ablation and hopefully will come off.

I can pass on a conversation with a friend who goes to Baptist Health Care (I go to Mayo) and he was on 200 twice a day, then one 200 once a day, and then 100 once a day. He was on it due to AFIB. He told me several days ago was told to stop the 100. But this shows the gradual reduction.

However if you are only 100 mg once a day already there could be the answer but that has to come from your cardiologist. I am not a medical professional and best to get your medical questions answered by a cardiologist who it treating you.

Talk to your doctor who put you on it. They are the medical experts. Have trouble reaching him call his nurse and say I have the following questions I would like answered.

My two points: I'm very happy to see an EP ask his newly ablated patient to stop the AAD....whatever it happens to be. You want your heart showing if the ablations has worked, NOT that the AAD is continuing to keep you in rhythm. My two cents.

Secondly, yup, they are busy people, highly focused, highly intellectual, and they're minds are whirling like tornadoes all the time when they're 'on.' I think they intend the best for their patients, but they forget some of the routine info they should impart.

My learning is that amiodarone should be tapered, but the fact is that some develop toxicity that becomes dangerously apparent, and the urgent instruction would not be to then commence a taper..............would it? No, you stop immediately and ride it out. And he's right, if you have been on it for more than four or five weeks, your system is replete with iodine and anything else that 's useful in that concoction. It takes several weeks of ridding yourself of it typically. And more, you don't want any of it in your system masking your heart's true 'new' nature when it comes time for the Holter assessment in 10 weeks.

That is not how things operate at Mayo in the EP space. I cannot imagine a scenario where the EP that just did your procedure would be too busy to answer any and all of your questions and take their time doing so. I’m sorry that happened to you. Hopefully you had a good outcome regardless.

@sjm46 - Thank you for the encouraging post. I've felt negative because of so many periods of health problems--lungs, kidneys, urethera, lichen planus... I've been hospitalized five times in the last year. Just now, for the first time since my procedure I got up the nerve to check my EKG. It shows "No abnormalities" with a heart rate of 75. Wonderful!!! I realize there may be hiccups yet to come but God is good so I'll wait and see.

@jc76 - In July I was put on 400 mg twice a day for 7 days to load me up. Since then I take 200 mg once a day. Now I'm told to stop so maybe not so bad. Thanks for your post.

@gloaming - Good information. Wearing a Holter has not been discussed. I see the EP in a month. I'm encouraged that he trained at Mayo-Rochester.

@vickilf5 - Thank you for the post. Guess I'm somewhat jaded with all my health issues that I have to deal with daily. Gotta keep going, right?

Just before my ablation at VA hospital, my EP came into the OR and assembled the team--anesthesiologist, nurses, techs--and went over the procedure. Each petson stated their responsibilities, and the order of procedure. Then the EP concluded, and then asked me if I understood everything and if I had any questions.
I know not everyone can go to a VA hospital, but this process and the ease and success of my ablation to cottect SVT made me glad to be a Vietnam combat veteran.

I had pacemaker implant, 4-5 months ago for Brady sinus node dysfunction.
An Ablation 1 one month ago for paroxysmal Afib.
Went for my follow up last week
I had been laying low past month. I had fatigue episode and reported on my looprecorder app. EP on follow up looked at monitor said I had PACs , extra beat not to worry. I didn’t show Afib in the month and he took me off Flecainide, stay on Eliquis. he said I may get more of those PACs since not on F, continue monitoring. Told me I need to exercise, bring up my activity level.
I was able to do a silver sneaker chair/stand class yesterday. Then walked a few minutes after felt better , hit pickleball against wall a few minutes. Felt fine after.
But today at mid morning fatigue hit again. No other symptoms. I am hoping with exercise/ activity increase will reduce fatigue.
I am 66 yrs old tomorrow, 25 pounds overweight and need to push myself to exercise. Once I’m in group class I am encouraged. I’m also eating healthier, staying away from alcohol.
Happy to have found this nice support group 😊