Re: Had catheter ablation/questions

November 26, 2003

Rich,

Thank you for the info. I called my Dr. today and they informed that what I am

experiencing is normal. I became concerned last night when I started looking at

different web sites. I am looking forward to beating this thing!

Thanks again,

Mark

Re: Had catheter ablation/questions

Mark,

Post ablation recovery can take up to 90 days. The heart has to heal and

re-model itself. During that period, AF events can happen. In many cases a

second

PVAs is needed to touch up the " electric leaks " .

Rich O

November 26, 2003

Hi Fred,

I am sorry to hear that you are going through this. I would not wish this on

anybody...what a pain in the ass!

The ablation procedure was actually pretty smooth. I went in on Thursday to get

a transesphageal echocardiogram...basically shoved this device down my throat

and it goes behind the heart...they are checking for structure problems and

clots. They sedated me and I don't remember a thing. I was very hungry and tired

afterwards...throat a little scratchy.

The ablation procedure was on Friday. I had to go in about 5:30 AM. They stuck

an IV in (actually kept in the one from Thursday) and got in about 8:30 for the

procedure. My blood was too thin so I had to wait for plasma to thicken it up.

Once again they sedated me, so I don't remember a thing. They had to put a

catheter in. I got them to do it while I was sedated...apparently this doesn't

always happen...I recommend it! I highly recommend shaving your self...upper

thigh and not all pubic hair, but enough to keep tape out of them.

I went into afib twice while I was in and they were able to ablate the spots.

They then stopped my heard and cardioverted it back into the right sinus rhythm.

The Dr. was pretty confident that it will work.

Hardest part was getting the catheter taken out and I remember being very

uncomfortable from laying on my back for so long (procedure took 4 hrs). Peeling

the tape and pads off was also a little uncomfortable, but nothing big. Overall

the procedure was pretty easy. I think it was more difficult on my wife and

family. It is still too early to tell if it worked, though.

Sorry this is kind of long, but I hope it helps. If you have any other

questions, let me know (I will try not to write so much next time). Also, keep

me informed on how your procedure goes. I hope it all goes well...Good luck.

Mark

Had catheter ablation/questions

Hello,

(I tried to reply earlier and could not find it anywhere, so if this

comes up twice...sorry...I am a first time user of discussion groups)

Anyway, I am 36 and have had lone a-fib for about four years now. I

have been on a variety of medications. All of which seemed to work at

first and then my episodes return later. I am also very athletic. I

enjoy playing competitive soccer, which has become increasingly more

difficult because of the a-fib. Finally, my Dr. encouraged me to get

an ablation procedure done. It has been about a week and a half since

I had the procedure and I have not noticed any difference. My heart

rate is still fast and has become irregular again. The Dr. said that

I will experience this for about a month or so and things will then

decrease. Most of the internet sites that I looked at said that I

should not be having these problems afterwards. Does anybody have any

advice on this? I will be contacting the Dr. tomorrow, I am just

curious if there is someone out there who has gone through this. As

for the guy who is planning on this, let me know if you have any

questions, I would be more than happy to answer.

This has really changed my life, I hope the ablation will take care

of it!

Mark

January 4, 2004

Dear Mark,

Who did your catheter ablation procedure? What kind of a procedure was it?

A-FibFriendSteve