Re: PVI ablation

April 12, 2006

Hi

Welcome.

Glad to hear about your experience. Can you say more about the PVI?

I am hoping to have one later this year and would be interested to

hear anything you would like to share about the process itself.

Thanks

Sue

>

> Hi,

>

> I am new to the group and have just had a PVI, which was thought

to be

> successful although I will not know for sure for around six

months. So far so

> good, I was taken off the beta-blockers and diltaziem immediately

and just kept

> on the warfarin for the time being. I was surprised to hear that

some of you

> were kept on the medication after the ablation. Maybe they do it

> differently here in the UK.

>

> I know it is a difficult decision to make with the risks attached,

but I

> suppose you have to weigh up the risks compared to quality of life

and in my

> case there was no contest as the AF situation was becoming

unbearable. Luckily

> I was able to find a good EP, who was as keen as I was to sort

the problem

> out.

>

> It is so nice to have my life back and not have to worry the whole

time that

> I am going to have an episode of AF, which nearly always meant I

would have

> to go to the ER to be monitored, sometimes for days.

>

> Since I joined the group it is so nice to read other people's

experiences

> and to know that you are not the only one as I had never heard of

AF before I

> was diagnosed. Reading your e-mails has given me a lot of

knowledge and

> helped me a lot to understand the condition.

>

April 13, 2006

Hi,

Yes of course. The PVI was quite straight forward and took about three and

a half hours.

Not too bad it can take a lot longer. I was a bit worried as my EP said

there was only a 60% chance of it being successful, but I figured that was

better than not having it done. He said to be prepared to have it done more

than

once as it can take a few times to get it right and sometimes they never get

it. This was not what I wanted to hear, but decided to go ahead.

Thankfully I did, as so far as it has been successful. I was put under

general anaesthetic for the procedure [usually it is done under local] as last

time I had an EP study they had to cardiovert me four times.

When I came round I felt a bit breathless due to the burning, but that soon

wore off. The worst bit was having to lie still for several hours to allow

the groin to heal. It was worth it though as I have had no problems since.

Apparently I may need a touch up some time in the future, but that would not

worry me as it went so well. After the procedure I still felt my heart rate

was a bit high around 80 rising to a 100. Since then, it was only a few

weeks ago, it has come down to around 60 bpm, which is good considering I am

only on a low dose beta-blocker. My EP told me not to take anything, but I

don't trust it a 100% yet. Also I had a slight heart attack about a year ago,

so

I feel it is better to veer on the side of caution.

Hope that is helpful.

Wishing you well.

Pat

Wish you well.

Pat

April 14, 2006

Hi,

No problem. If you get the chance go for it, the PVI has made such a

difference to my life,

I cannot tell you.

Good luck!

Pat

April 14, 2006

Hi Pat

Yes thanks. That is very helpful and makes me feel better about the

possibilty of having one myself in the future.

Sue

>

> Hi,

>

> Yes of course. The PVI was quite straight forward and took about

three and

> a half hours.

>

> Not too bad it can take a lot longer. I was a bit worried as my

EP said

> there was only a 60% chance of it being successful, but I figured

that was

> better than not having it done. He said to be prepared to have it

done more than

> once as it can take a few times to get it right and sometimes

they never get

> it. This was not what I wanted to hear, but decided to go ahead.

> Thankfully I did, as so far as it has been successful. I was put

under

> general anaesthetic for the procedure [usually it is done under

local] as last

> time I had an EP study they had to cardiovert me four times.

>

> When I came round I felt a bit breathless due to the burning, but

that soon

> wore off. The worst bit was having to lie still for several hours

to allow

> the groin to heal. It was worth it though as I have had no

problems since.

>

> Apparently I may need a touch up some time in the future, but that

would not

> worry me as it went so well. After the procedure I still felt my

heart rate

> was a bit high around 80 rising to a 100. Since then, it was only

a few

> weeks ago, it has come down to around 60 bpm, which is good

considering I am

> only on a low dose beta-blocker. My EP told me not to take

anything, but I

> don't trust it a 100% yet. Also I had a slight heart attack about

a year ago, so

> I feel it is better to veer on the side of caution.

>

> Hope that is helpful.

>

> Wishing you well.

>

> Pat

>

> Wish you well.

>

> Pat

>

April 18, 2006

I recently had a PVI ablation. unfortunately this weekend I went into

A-fib. I have been put back on bisoprolol and diltaziem while I wait for a

cardio-version. Hopefully I will go back into NSR on my own. When I had the

ablation the EP took me off all medication. Was this wise? Do most people

stay

on medicaton for a while after ablation, does anybody know?

I have been told that this bout of Af does not mean it has not worked,

although at the moment I am feeling quite skeptical. Has anyone else had AF

after

ablation, but it has still been successful in the long term.

I would appreciate any information I receive.

Pat

April 18, 2006

Hi Steph, Thanks for the advise. I had the PVI two weeks ago, so I suppose

it is very early days. It is just they seemed all doom and gloom in the

hospital. It is interesting that you mention that you had a flutter. I have

had a fluttery feeling in my chest ever since the ablation so maybe I have a

flutter too. I will mention it to them when I go for follow-up as that may be

triggering the a-fib. Is that the same kind of procedure? I have been told

to expect to have it done more than once. I cannot help feeling despondent

though as I thought this was going to be a miracle cure. Who knows, it might

be I will just have to be patient and give it more time. So you are still

one medication, I thought it was a bit soon to take me off all of them! Many

thanks Pat

April 18, 2006

Thanks Joanne, that gives me hope that all is not lost. Pat

April 18, 2006

Thanks Gordon that's a great help. Pat

April 18, 2006

Pat, I have not had an ablation, but it is my understanding that it works by

scarring over certain misfiring nerve sites. Scarring takes time so, logically,

it would take a while for the ablation to completely work.

Jo Anne

Re: PVI Ablation

I recently had a PVI ablation. unfortunately this weekend I went into

A-fib. I have been put back on bisoprolol and diltaziem while I wait for a

cardio-version. Hopefully I will go back into NSR on my own. When I had the

ablation the EP took me off all medication. Was this wise? Do most people

stay

on medicaton for a while after ablation, does anybody know?

I have been told that this bout of Af does not mean it has not worked,

although at the moment I am feeling quite skeptical. Has anyone else had AF

after

ablation, but it has still been successful in the long term.

I would appreciate any information I receive.

Pat

April 18, 2006

How long ago was your PVI? My PVI was 7 weeks ago today, and I am still on all

the medication I was on prior to the procedure... I take 150 mg Atenelol, 675 mg

Rhythmol, and 7.5 mg Warfarin per day.

I will go back to the EP on May 22nd, and it is my understanding that I will

be weened off the drugs then.. I'm guessing it will be the Rhythmol and

Atenelol, and that I'll stay on Warfarin for probably another 6 weeks after

that.

I had both afib and aflutter two days after my ablation, and a couple more

very short lived events within the past month. I was told specifically to

expect afib in the first 3 months of healing, and not to be discouraged if that

happened. Some people here have indicated that a more realistic time frame for

complete healing is up to 9 months post PVI.

Please don't be discouraged... especially if your PVI was very recently...

they really annoy your heart during the procedure, and I'm sure it takes a good

while to heal properly and completely.

best of luck returning to NSR.

Stef

STahaney@... wrote:

I recently had a PVI ablation. unfortunately this weekend I went into

A-fib. I have been put back on bisoprolol and diltaziem while I wait for a

cardio-version. Hopefully I will go back into NSR on my own. When I had the

ablation the EP took me off all medication. Was this wise? Do most people

stay

on medicaton for a while after ablation, does anybody know?

I have been told that this bout of Af does not mean it has not worked,

although at the moment I am feeling quite skeptical. Has anyone else had AF

after

ablation, but it has still been successful in the long term.

I would appreciate any information I receive.

Pat

April 18, 2006

Steph thanks for your help, when I next go to the hospital I will ask them

about the flutter.

They said I might get that for a few days, but it has gone on a bit and I am

quite aware of it.

My rate has come right down, but I am still in AF with a bit of luck it may

convert back. I feel quite optimistic again due to your reassurance that it

takes time. I feel it must have worked a bit because last time I went into

AF it took days to get the rate down and this has only been a few days. I

will get some vitamin C as I am paranoid about getting a cold as that can

trigger AF. Also, because of the warfarin I don't eat as many vegetables, so

could

probably do with some vitamins. Thanks again Pat

April 18, 2006

Hi Bob

Thanks for the information, it seems most people stay on medication for a

while after ablation. I think I must have been taken off too quickly as I felt

like my AF was about to start all the time. It's better to be on medication

at least you feel safer. Never mind, hopefully things will go better from

now on.

Good luck to you too. Pat

April 18, 2006

> How long ago was your PVI? My PVI was 7 weeks ago today, and I

am still on all the medication I was on prior to the procedure... I

take 150 mg Atenelol, 675 mg Rhythmol, and 7.5 mg Warfarin per day.

>

> I will go back to the EP on May 22nd, and it is my understanding

that I will be weened off the drugs then.. I'm guessing it will be

the Rhythmol and Atenelol, and that I'll stay on Warfarin for

probably another 6 weeks after that.

>

> I had both afib and aflutter two days after my ablation, and a

couple more very short lived events within the past month. I was

told specifically to expect afib in the first 3 months of healing,

and not to be discouraged if that happened. Some people here have

indicated that a more realistic time frame for complete healing is

up to 9 months post PVI.

>

> Please don't be discouraged... especially if your PVI was very

recently... they really annoy your heart during the procedure, and

I'm sure it takes a good while to heal properly and completely.

>

> best of luck returning to NSR.

>

> Stef

>

> STahaney@... wrote:

> I recently had a PVI ablation. unfortunately this weekend I

went into

> A-fib. I have been put back on bisoprolol and diltaziem while I

wait for a

> cardio-version. Hopefully I will go back into NSR on my own.

When I had the

> ablation the EP took me off all medication. Was this wise? Do

most people stay

> on medicaton for a while after ablation, does anybody know?

> I have been told that this bout of Af does not mean it has not

worked,

> although at the moment I am feeling quite skeptical. Has anyone

else had AF after

> ablation, but it has still been successful in the long term.

>

> I would appreciate any information I receive.

>

Pat: Stef's experience is consistent with what Dr. Natale's

directions to me were. Some EP's take you off medication right

after but it makes sense that the heart is somewhat traumatized and

having some stability medication while it heals is a good idea.

Personally, I was completely clean of anything but NSR for maybe 6

weeks after my ablation in November then developed a bunch of

ectopics which I was told are benign and will settle down as time

goes on, maybe up to a year. The ectopics are certainly preferable

to the afib so even if I have them forever I'm better off than

having the afib. My cardiologist says my heart is in better shape

now than it was for some time before my ablation.

Gordon

April 18, 2006

Hi Pat,

I had a PVI ablation a little over six month's ago. I went into AFIB

about 7 days after for about 10 minutes then converted. About 2

month's later I went into AFIB again for about 3 hours, then self

converted. I have not had any events since. It is not unusual to have

a few events for first three month's after an ablation. My EP is VERY

conservative and I was left on Flecanide and diltaziem for 6 month's.

A couple weeks ago my EP took me off the Flecanide but asked I

continue the diltaziem for 2 more month's. Six more weeks and no more

meds.. Still feeling great and keeping my fingers crossed.

Good luck to you...

Bob

>

> I recently had a PVI ablation. unfortunately this weekend I went into

> A-fib. I have been put back on bisoprolol and diltaziem while I

wait for a

> cardio-version. Hopefully I will go back into NSR on my own. When

I had the

> ablation the EP took me off all medication. Was this wise? Do

most people stay

> on medicaton for a while after ablation, does anybody know?

> I have been told that this bout of Af does not mean it has not worked,

> although at the moment I am feeling quite skeptical. Has anyone

else had AF after

> ablation, but it has still been successful in the long term.

>

> I would appreciate any information I receive.

>

> Pat

>

April 18, 2006

it may be the miracle yet... don't give up or get discouraged.. two weeks is far

too soon to be worried about it. And don't listen to the doom and gloom from

anyone.. you are still healing and that takes time. I'm 7 weeks out and my

catheter site still hurts if I stand too long... I assume that despite the fact

that it looks ok from the outside, it must still be healing.. and because it's

still healing, I can only assume my heart is as well!

As for flutter .. in my case flutter was a very very very fast, but quite

regular rhythm.. it's still an arrhythmia, but just not as irregular as afib

(for me). The speeds can get quite scary (for me).. much moreso than afib ever

did, so if I thought I were in flutter, I would go see someone about it.. it's

easily detectable on an EKG. If you're just having a " light " fluttering, it

could just be your heart being fragile from the surgery. I had a dull ache in

my chest for a solid month after the surgery, despite them saying it was only

going to last a few days.

I will add that my EP told me to take Vitamin C for good healing. I take 2000

mg per day. Don't know if it helps, but it's a known healer, and it has

certainly kept me healthy otherwise! I also take magnesium, folic acid, vit

b6, b12 and coenzyme 10. I don't know if any of them do anything, but they are

all heart friendly, so I take em! My EP approved them all, but specifically

told me to take the Vit C. Ask yours perhaps?