Anyone had AF Ablation?
Posted , 1 user is following.
I was diagnosed with atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation 4 years ago. I had an flutter ablation 2 years ago which cured the atrial flutter, so I now just have the atrial fibrillation. I have been taking flecainide for the past 3 years but my condition is getting worse. I suffer from AF every day but it is bearable. But occasionally I have a bad attack and it is almost unbearable, just climbing the staits causes me to break out in a sweat. SO, I am thinkin of having an AF Ablation, which I believe is about 65% cure rate, but a .1% chance of death!
Has anyone had this, and if so who did it? There are about a dozen consultants around London, and I want the best one.
0 likes, 3 replies
Guest
Posted
My husband (late 30s, otherwise fit) had an ablation for AFib about six months ago. He had also been taking flecanide for 3+ years and his condition was getting worse.
Fortunately, he has private medical cover so was able to have it done at Harley Street by Dr John Foran. It was mostly successful and he was glad he did it but he has recently had some reoccurences, each of which has stopped before he could have an ECG. We were warned that this could happen, probably because of regrowth of whatever causes the electrical circuit to be impeded. He may have to have another ablation, so I guess that puts him in the 35% on the basis of the first procedure. Here's hoping for the next one.
We were told that the risk of death is mainly associated with elderly people who have other major heart problems. They always have to advise you of these things. For my husband, the risk was worth taking in order to restore his quality of life.
Best of luck. Hope this is helpful.
Guest
Posted
Guest
Posted
As Southampton Hospital had a long waiting list i was referred to the London AF centre and had the ablation performed Sept 06,the operation was very straightforward and you go home the next day
About 2 months later i developed an Atrial Tachycardia which was due to part of the ablated area firing up again,a second partial Ablation on this area fixed it for good...Now its a year since the original Operation and i have had no repeat Of AF,,i occasionally get the odd ectopic beat but thats normal,,my resting pulse is around 60 and goes up to 80 during physical exertion...
I cannot recommend Ablation or whats called Pulmonary Vein Isolation enough,it is the only real cure for AF at present