Ablation

[Explorer77]

Hello, I'm five days out from my ablation and have developed irregular and skipped beats in the last two days. Do I need to be concerned our is this all part of the healing process? I'm 40 years old and I'm getting worried that the doc might have damaged something. I was not in A-fib when I went in for the procedure, so it was induced. Any info would be appreciated.

[researcher09]

What happened to you happens a lot more than people realize.  When I was reviewing medicare data, I was absolutely shocked that 80% of the AF ablations are being done by centers that do less than 25 AF ablations per year.  The Heart Rhythm Society guideline for AF ablation is minimum 50 per year per clinician for them to even qualified at an OK level as far as skill and proficiency.  To be competent, they recommend a minimum of 100 AF procedures per year.  About half of EP ablation procedures are AF so that means a clinician should be doing 200 ablations of all types per year or about 4 ablation procedures per week (SVT+AF).  VT is a completely higher set of training and skills so II don't include that.  Ever since my review, I have been trying hard to get the message out there.  Make sure your EP is not training on you.  He needs to go get proctored by someone who has done a lot and is doing a lot of AF ablations.

[CFS56]

I am so sorry this has been such a nightmare for you.  I really hope things settle down.  Have you had a chance to talk to another doctor/ep?  I think I would definitely do that.  
I have also felt like I was being rushed into having it done.  I told the doctors office I was having second thoughts and cancelled the procedure and got several phone calls from nurses wanting to know what I was doing and why was I cancelling, within about an hour.  
Hope things go better for you soon.

[Explorer77]

My first ablation was on 1/20 my second ablation was on 1/27 and my cardioversion was 1/28. My episodes come a few times a day and and can last a couple of hours. The medication does seem to suppress my symptoms and control my heart rate, but according to my doctor I should have been "Curred" by now. I can't emphasis it enough. This has been a nightmare, mostly because my doctor did not prepare me for the worse, but rather continuously assured me that the procedure was "Easier than getting a tonsillectomy." I truly believe I was rushed into this procedure and had I known how intense it was, I would have received a second opinion and asked more questions. I trusted my doctor and feel I was mislead. I wish everyone the best and hope that if you decide to get an ablation it goes a lot more smoother for you.

[CFS56]

Do the episodes last or are they just for a few seconds?  I have heard that it's normal to have short episodes after an ablation.  It was suggested to me by my cardiologist that ablation is something I should consider but I am petrified to have it done.  I agree, they are serious procedures, and should not be entered into lightly.  I hope things settle down for you soon.

[Explorer77]

I had two ablations and a cardioversion in the the last two weeks. It's been four days and I'm still getting svt and A-fib. The meds appear to suppress the frequency, but nonetheless this procedure is not as simple as my doctor made it sound. Totally misled... These ablations are serious procedures. If a doctor belittles it or downplays it, I would suggest getting a new doctor.

[researcher09]

It is not unusual for your heart to feel irritated for a few weeks after an AF ablation.  Your EP probably explained that there is a 90 day blanking period before the heart settles enough to tell whether your ablation was likely to be successful or not.  He will look review your results at 6 months and 12 months also.  There is still a 1/4 chance that you may need a second procedure to get completely cured depending on the skill of the EP and the ablation approach he used.  Hope things check out well for you and best wishes for long term NSR.

[Explorer77]

I see the doc tomorrow. Did you have an ablation in the past?

[itdood]

If it were me, i would call the doc.

[Explorer77]

I did call the doctor. He will see me tomorrow. Have you ever been through an ablation?