has anybody here undergone ablation surgery for atrial fibrillation? Or know anybody who has? thanks..?

Answer 1

This article will help you out:

All patients with symptomatic AF not responding to medical therapy or intolerant to medical therapy due to side effects may benefit from an AF ablation. The ideal candidate for an AF ablation is an individual with symptomatic paroxysmal AF and a normal heart. However, as the procedure evolves, we are finding success in patients that would not have been candidates even one year ago. For patients with no or minimal symptoms who are doing well with no or few medicines, AF ablation is not currently recommended. The benefits of AF ablation beyond improving symptoms are currently being studied.

How successful is AF ablation?

Approximately 80-85% of all patients undergoing an AF ablation will have complete elimination or significantly reduced AF episodes. Approximately 70% of patients will be free of AF and will not require long term anti-arrhythmic medications. Some individuals (10-15%) may require anti-arrhythmic medications after the procedure to prevent AF. Medications that were previously ineffective prior to an AF ablation may become much more effective after an AF ablation. Options for patients who do not respond to an AF ablation include a repeat AF ablation, anti-arrhythmic medications, rate control medications, or an AV node ablation and pacemaker.

What is the long term success of AF ablation?

AF ablation is a relatively new procedure and the very long term outcomes are not known. The longest follow-up in our experience is over 5 years with no recurrent AF.

What can I expect during the procedure?

The procedure will take place in the electrophysiology laboratory and takes between 4-6 hours to complete. On the morning of the procedure or the day before, a special ultrasound (transesophageal echocardiogram) will be performed to look for blood clots in the heart. You will be given sedation and will be asleep or very drowsy throughout the procedure. A local anesthetic will be given in both right and left groins and also on the right side of your neck. Tubes called sheaths will be placed in veins that are located in the groins and right neck. Thin floppy wires (catheters) will be passed through the sheaths and be guided painlessly by X-ray to specific locations in your heart. These catheters are used to record electrical activity of your heart. A special ultrasound probe mounted on a catheter is also positioned in your heart. This ultrasound probe is used to “see” your heart structures and catheters.

With guidance by the ultrasound probe, a thin needle is then used to pass across the thin part of the wall that separates your right and left atrium. This allows the catheters to be placed in your left atrium. Radio energy is then applied to the left atrium around the PV to perform the ablation. The ablation can be performed in a normal rhythm or during AF. During this time, you may not feel anything or you may feel a sensation of warmth or “heartburn.” Occasionally other rhythms (atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia) are identified which will require ablation. During the ablation, you are given intravenous blood thinners (heparin) to “thin” the blood and prevent blood clots. After the ablation is finished, the catheters are removed. The sheaths are removed after the blood “thickens” enough for safe removal. You will be admitted for overnight observation. Most patients will be discharged in the morning.

What can I expect after the procedure?

Your previous medications will be restarted after the procedure. All patients will be discharged on a blood thinner called warfarin. Since warfarin takes 3-5 days to reach a good level, you will be discharged with a heparin injection (Lovenox) to be taken twice a day for 3-4 days. A health professional will instruct you and your family on how to administer this injection. You will need to avoid vigorous physical activity or lifting of more than 20 pounds for 1 week after the procedure. Normal activities such as walking at a normal pace can begin the day after the procedure and is highly encouraged. You may bathe or shower the day after the procedure.

It is common to have some chest pain or discomfort after the procedure particularly when taking a deep breath. This may be due to irritation around the lining of your heart due to the ablation. This discomfort usually subsides in 2-3 weeks. You may take Tylenol for this discomfort. If the discomfort is not relieved with Tylenol or is associated with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, pain with swallowing, fever, or passing out, then call your physician immediately.

Recurrences of AF in the first 60-90 days following an AF ablation can occur. These immediate episodes of AF do not mean that the procedure was unsuccessful. Many patients who have episodes of AF in the first 60-90 days may be free of AF after the heart heals some more. Sometimes a cardioversion or medications are necessary to control AF that occurs 60-90 days after the procedure.

What are the risks of the procedure?

The overwhelming majority of individuals undergoing an AF ablation will not experience a complication. However, as with any invasive procedure, complications can occur even with very experienced physicians. Potential minor complications including bleeding or bruising at the catheter sites occur about 2-3% of the time. Major complications such as a stroke, heart attack, or puncturing the heart, lung, or esophagus occur in 1% or less of patients. Some individuals (1% or less) may develop excessive scar tissue around the PV that partially or completely block the PV. Most patients are asymptomatic, but a very few may need to have a separate procedure to open the pulmonary veins. The risk of blocked pulmonary veins was a greater concern with the original method for AF ablation, but the current technique for AF ablation minimizes this risk.
For further details you will find tis link helpful:
http://www.heartcc.com/AFib.htm

Answer 2

I had a heart ablation procedure done about 2 years ago. Best decision I ever made. My heart has been in regular sinus rythme beat for the last 2 years. The procedure took about 4 hours. I stayed over night and then went home the next day. It took me about 3 -4 weeks before I was full strength following the procedure. I most likely will need to repeat the procedure in a few years though since the effects are not permanent. Good luck and don't worry too much. Most EP doctors perform this procedure on regular basis.

Answer 3

No,not yet...but they are suggesting this as an answer to my atrial fib.....I am 82 yrs old and feel great other than some shortness of breathe when I start rushing around...sleep well...eat very little meat...lots veggies...12 grain bread...oatmeal...fruit...stopped all vitamins last year...under no stress...some light exercise....very reluctant to be treated for A Fib beyond 2 medications that are currently prescribed.......mike gushey in florida

Answer 4

I have AFib and my cardiologist has informed me that ablation is really not the way to go. It does not enjoy a high success rate. I take Calan SR, coumadin and several other meds which seem to do the trick.