Ablation

[Vagus]

Has anyone had the above done on their heart, if so would you like to share your experience? 
I've read all about it, been online, etc, etc, but am looking for someone who's had it done to share their experience.

Thank you.

[jno]

what do you want to know?

[Vagus]

What someone who has experienced this can tell me.

[jno]

it's just an operation, not a particularly invasive one (no open-heart surgery). You have a general anaesthetic, so you won't know much about it, though in my case they brought me half-round before they were quite finished, to test my half-awake responses; I guess they were okay.

I had a second one - apparently the first was fairly simple, but if you're still not fully recovered from whatever was ailing you they do a second, slightly more complex one, and that worked for me. You may have a night or two in hospital afterward under observation.

[Vagus]

Thanks jno. It's OH not me who is on the list for this.

So is it always a GA? He's been told it may be needed twice depending on the outcome of the first.

Has it been successful for you and sorted your problem out?

Many thanks for answering x

[Buenchico]

Does anything here help?
https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/catheter-ablation-for-atrial-fibrillation/personal-stories/view-stories.html

[jno]

yes, I'm fine, it was cardiac arrhythmia and I'd been having considerable trouble  breathing as my heart tried to set itself right; it was improved after the first op, and normal after the second. I suppose there's a little scar somewhere where they inserted the electrodes, but I'm not sure where; there was no post-op pain or discomfort.

I wasn't offered local anaesthesia (and I'm not sure I would have fancied it), but I think some people do have it. I don't know what the crieteria are so I can't help you there.

[Vagus]

Thanks Chris, hadn't come across that, will have a good read of it x

[Buenchico]

There are loads of relevant posts on the HealthUnlocked website:
https://healthunlocked.com/tag/cardiac-ablation

[Vagus]

Thanks jno, very helpful.

Hes had a couple of nights in hospital over recent months due to afib and will start some heart meds next week, in hospital, to make sure there are no unwanted side effects.

We both know it's a relatively common procedure but it's still a bit worrying so I really appreciate your posts, thank you x

[jno]

never heard of cryoballoons, maybe it's an American thing or maybe they just have another name here.

[Peter Pedant]

If it works, then it is much better than drugs. I was not eligible and not given the choice. If he has the choice - he should say yes. 

so what if he is dilly-dally-doo for 15 mins?

[campbellking]

Had it done for SVT 8 years ago, no general, got to watch it all on the screen, worked a treat, no medication since.Only problem I had is that it was at old Papworth, it was freezing in the place they did it and I got very cold. One week off work as you can't do any heavy lifting for seven days.

[Vagus]

Thanks campbellking, very helpful x

[retrocop]

I had it done a few years back. A day case job under general anaesthetic. Heart was out of sinus rythm. I didn't feel a thing. They shocked my heart back into rhythm first time but could have given me another belt if not thrown back first time. If it hadn't worked they would of ,at a later date, place some wires through my artery in the leg and go to the heart where they would of cauterised the faulty bit. No need for that though.

[Vagus]

Retro, I think you're getting mixed up, the procedure you didn't  need is ablation, not the one you had.

[Vagus]

I think you're referring to cardioversion.