Ablation for Heart Failure?

[crazybeats]

Does Ablation really work for someone who has EF working at 38% and Atrial Fib? The electrocardiologist said it MAY help but it can be risky and personal cardiologist said NOT to do the Ablation due to EF status.

Can anyone explain what is the pros and cons.

Thank you.

[crazybeats]

Thanks for the 411 and advise. I really appreciate your effort in responding to my post.

My husband also had a ICD placed after a massive hear attack and 4 bypass almost 8 years ago. He has Ventricular Tachycardia Fibrillation. This VTF is the most FATAL type of all arrhythmia's. The ICD has saved his life 3 times during a VTF episode, however, after having recent surgery, it was found he now has AF in the bottom chamber and has been given heart med and beta blockers to help. It has brought the heart rate down but still has AF which seems the meds are not helpful and may need ablation but it can be very risky and not a guarantee. It was mentioned by one his electrophysiologist if the ablation did not work they would disconnect one of the wires from the ICD and rewire to the lower chamber area of his heart to correct the A. Fib.

Does this make any sense?

Crazybeats

[joebee39]

My comment is similar to Momto3's.  I had two RFAs to help regulate my heart rhythm becase of PVCs.  During the first one the electrophysiologist was unable to complete the procedure for technical reasons so I submitted to a second one about two months later in April 2007.  Although the second one didn't completely eliminate teh PVCs it did reduce them significantly.  A month later I an ICD installed and it now overrides the PVCs through right side atrial pacing.  The info I received on RFA indicated it was commonly used for controlling arrhythmias but didn't mention it as a therapy for EF improvement.  My EF is approximately 20%, the same as it was prior to the RFA.

Hope this helps.

[Momto3]

Hi crazybeats,

I can't speak directly to Afib and ablation.  But, I did have 2 RFA for chronic PVCs and they were very successful.  I developed PVC-induced cardiomyopathy and my EF dropped to about 40%.  It has been 5 years since the ablations and my EF remains normalized.

I would definitely go to a center/EP who is well-versed and skilled at this particular type of procedure.  There are some excellent physicians that may give you better odds and chance for curative therapy.