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Pulsed Field Ablation

Posted by ltb7 @ltb7, Jan 26 1:07pm

I had the flu early Dec. which caused paroxysmal Afib with RVR and very symptomatic. I just had a PFA on 1/21. I’m on 240mg Diltaizem, 150mg Flecainide and 10mg Eliquis and have a follow up mid April. I’ve had bad side effects from the meds but know they are keeping me out of afib. When will I feel better after the PFA?

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Profile picture for gloaming
gloaming | @gloaming | Mar 8 4:42pm
In reply to @osgilian "Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with..." + (show)
Profile picture for osgilian @osgilian

Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with all the talk about finding the best EP money can buy. I'm an average senior on a fixed income with frequent high-rate (180+) PSVT, in the ER every 4-5 weeks for adenosine treatment. My first appt with EP is next week (postponed from February by blizzard). I will never be in the position of searching out "the best EP money can buy." My cardiologist, whom I adore, chose this EP for me. Ablation is the goal. Please give me back my hope that there is relief for us "average" arrhythmia sufferers too!

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@osgilian Like with any such decision in life, dance with the girl you brung. There are many excellent EPs out there, and if all you need is a simple PVI, you'll almost certainly profit from the surgery. When I ask people to get the best EP money can buy, I'm usually talking to people whose own cardiologist or EP seems reluctant or indifferent, or seems not to want to do anything MORE than a PVI....if it is warranted. Why take the risks inherent in an ablation if it's almost certain not going to be right for you, or enough for your advanced state? This is why I suggest people who DO have the means should think about going further afield than their local services. If you really like and trust your cardiologist, and he/she recommends one EP over six others within a day's drive, by all means.....!

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ltb7 | @ltb7 | Mar 8 5:30pm
In reply to @osgilian "Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with..." + (show)
Profile picture for osgilian @osgilian

Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with all the talk about finding the best EP money can buy. I'm an average senior on a fixed income with frequent high-rate (180+) PSVT, in the ER every 4-5 weeks for adenosine treatment. My first appt with EP is next week (postponed from February by blizzard). I will never be in the position of searching out "the best EP money can buy." My cardiologist, whom I adore, chose this EP for me. Ablation is the goal. Please give me back my hope that there is relief for us "average" arrhythmia sufferers too!

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@osgilian I’m not rich by any means. My cardiologist recommended my EP and he was excellent. I’m almost 7 weeks post PFA so I don’t know my exact outcome, but I would not get discouraged at all. I think there are many competent EP’s out there and it should not come down to how much money someone has to heal and get better!

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ltb7 | @ltb7 | Mar 8 5:35pm
In reply to @babheart "I’m 3 days post PF ablation and still experiencing a lot of the same symptoms as..." + (show)
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I’m 3 days post PF ablation and still experiencing a lot of the same symptoms as with afib but now no afib, just tachycardia w shortness of breath, lightheaded, shaky weak with activity ( like walk 50 ft to kitchen and sit at the table and eat). I think I am experiencing baby step improvements but I’m still pretty nonfunctional. Interesting to me that one doc’s site in the UK said he tells folks to bring comfy pants, that they will probably have a larger waistline for a bit post procedure- I wish I’d read that before the procedure! It was true for me. Anyone else notice that? My post-procedure chest discomfort is totally manageable as is the groin site- healing well. Cough and sore throat from intubation are fairly minor. My heart still pounds occasionally even when I’m still but no afib thus far. I do understand that I may have some now and then and I do feel like my heart is tender as is my chest. Lots of indigestion but small easy meals help. So I’m hopeful though the cardiologist says my symptoms w activity must not be related to my severely enlarged L Atrium cause other patients don’t experience these symptoms as severely in their experience. We’ll see - I’m hoping tincture of time does the trick🤞☘️

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@babheart I’m almost 7 weeks PFA and still have healing symptoms like chest wall pains, shortness of breath and chest heaviness when I exercise. I’ve been told numerous times it is a 12 week healing period and to feel completely back to normal can be up to 6 months.

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wyu8882 | @wyu8882 | Mar 8 7:39pm

Does anyone hear any fetal incidence during PFA or ablation as a whole? Based on statistics shown online, the rate is very very low. But it’s still slightly higher than pacemaker or cathetarization procedure.

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jtchip | @jtchip | Mar 8 8:12pm
In reply to @osgilian "Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with..." + (show)
Profile picture for osgilian @osgilian

Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with all the talk about finding the best EP money can buy. I'm an average senior on a fixed income with frequent high-rate (180+) PSVT, in the ER every 4-5 weeks for adenosine treatment. My first appt with EP is next week (postponed from February by blizzard). I will never be in the position of searching out "the best EP money can buy." My cardiologist, whom I adore, chose this EP for me. Ablation is the goal. Please give me back my hope that there is relief for us "average" arrhythmia sufferers too!

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@osgilian There is Hope for all of us. I'm an average senior also. Had my ablation on November 25, 2025. Came off Flecinaide on December 25th, Eliquis on February 25th and am wearing my heart monitor for the next 30 days. I have not had any A-Fib issues since October and pray I don't have any. My EP was a referral from my PCP. I was told he's the best electrician in my area, Not knowing an EP, I trust my PCP. Don't forget there always in hope.

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gloaming | @gloaming | Mar 9 4:08am
In reply to @wyu8882 "Does anyone hear any fetal incidence during PFA or ablation as a whole? Based on statistics..." + (show)
Profile picture for wyu8882 @wyu8882

Does anyone hear any fetal incidence during PFA or ablation as a whole? Based on statistics shown online, the rate is very very low. But it’s still slightly higher than pacemaker or cathetarization procedure.

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@wyu8882 I think you intended 'fatal', and my own EP, and my readings of general statistics and risk for catheter ablation, suggest it is about 1.5%, so very low.

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qwackertoo | @qwackertoo | Mar 9 11:42am

I would say and yes I went to one of the "best of the best" . . . 3 times so far, First Ablation, Second with a little touch-up plus the Watchman and the third for my first TEE after Watchman. Heading out this afternoon for my first Echo since the TEE and my first round of the 7 day monitor should be arriving very soon.

Perhaps a better way of phrasing in the USA of "the best EP money can buy" would be "the best EP your insurance will pay for". I'm sure there are many that can and do pay out of pocket without consideration of cost but those would be the very wealthy, the celebrities, the big high-dollar contract athletes and perhaps a few wealthy politicians with connections thrown in for good measure.

I'm not comfortable saying here how much any of my 3 visits mentioned above cost and what insurance actually paid but it was quite expensive.

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wyu8882 | @wyu8882 | Mar 9 11:59am
In reply to @gloaming "@wyu8882 I think you intended 'fatal', and my own EP, and my readings of general statistics..." + (show)
Profile picture for gloaming @gloaming

@wyu8882 I think you intended 'fatal', and my own EP, and my readings of general statistics and risk for catheter ablation, suggest it is about 1.5%, so very low.

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@gloaming yes, I meant fatal incident. Thanks for correcting the typo.

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aard | @aard | Mar 9 1:05pm
In reply to @osgilian "Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with..." + (show)
Profile picture for osgilian @osgilian

Ok people, I'm getting discouraged and starting to think this is a "rich people's forum" with all the talk about finding the best EP money can buy. I'm an average senior on a fixed income with frequent high-rate (180+) PSVT, in the ER every 4-5 weeks for adenosine treatment. My first appt with EP is next week (postponed from February by blizzard). I will never be in the position of searching out "the best EP money can buy." My cardiologist, whom I adore, chose this EP for me. Ablation is the goal. Please give me back my hope that there is relief for us "average" arrhythmia sufferers too!

Jump to this post

@osgilian There is definitely hope. I went with the EP my cardiologist referred me to also and had great results. I read "the best EP money can buy" as the one that best understands your situation, and has the experience to do what needs to be done.
All the best!

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debmonroe | @debmonroe | Mar 10 10:03am

I’m an average senior too, living on an island in WA State. I’m lucky to have a descent gap plan with Medicare but must see clinicians who take my insurance. I have a great cardiologist who referred me to one of the best EPs in this area for my second ablation on 1/30. I’m doing well post procedure, maintaining 5% Afib according to Apple Watch. I’m still on Multaq and Metoprolol but this is the best I’ve felt in 18 months. Hoping to get off of Multaq at the 2-3 month mark. Best of luck to you for finding the best care in your area that’s covered by insurance!!!

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