Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
ablation recovery time
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
ablation recovery time
by arthur, Oct 02, 2000 12:00AM
I recently had an ep/ablation procedure conducted to locate and remove the focal source of a paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (lone afib). The ablation site(s) were located in the left pulmonary vein ostia (openings to the atria). This procedure is clearly cutting edge, as pulmonary vein foci have only recently (past few years) been identified as potential sources of paf.
In my case, 9 burns were used to ablate one focus (near the opening to the atrium) which was confirmed to lead to paf. Three other foci were found to simply generate PACs and were left alone. It's been nearly four weeks since the procedure and I continue to have regular bouts with PACs (1-6 per min) which come and go, and often appear related to physical exertion. The frequency of the PACs is elevated compared to pre-procedure, although I have noticed some decline over the past week. I have read and been told that the recovery time is usually 1-2 weeks (with PACs being a typical symptom). For a pulmonary vein procedure as described above, what could be expected in terms of symptomology and time, based on experience at your institution?
Your reply will be greatly appreciated, since I am quite worried that I may never get away from these PACs.
In my case, 9 burns were used to ablate one focus (near the opening to the atrium) which was confirmed to lead to paf. Three other foci were found to simply generate PACs and were left alone. It's been nearly four weeks since the procedure and I continue to have regular bouts with PACs (1-6 per min) which come and go, and often appear related to physical exertion. The frequency of the PACs is elevated compared to pre-procedure, although I have noticed some decline over the past week. I have read and been told that the recovery time is usually 1-2 weeks (with PACs being a typical symptom). For a pulmonary vein procedure as described above, what could be expected in terms of symptomology and time, based on experience at your institution?
Your reply will be greatly appreciated, since I am quite worried that I may never get away from these PACs.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC, Oct 02, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Arthur,
In general the heart may be a bit "irritated" following an ablation and there may be an increase in palpitations for 4-6 weeks. Because afib ablation is so new there is no one right way to perform it, however we tend to ablate more foci here than less. Of course if you are continuing to have afib they can go back and ablate additional foci. The potential downside of multiple ablations is a narrowing of the pulmonary vein. Where did you have your ablation done?
In general the heart may be a bit "irritated" following an ablation and there may be an increase in palpitations for 4-6 weeks. Because afib ablation is so new there is no one right way to perform it, however we tend to ablate more foci here than less. Of course if you are continuing to have afib they can go back and ablate additional foci. The potential downside of multiple ablations is a narrowing of the pulmonary vein. Where did you have your ablation done?
So, the prognosis for such a procedure is not so bad. Just be sure you have all the facts regarding your specific case and a full understanding of the possible complications (thrombus, stroke, pulmonary edema, etc)...and that the ablation may not solve all your problems.
Good Luck !!
Thanks for your reply,
Leslie
By the 5-6 week period, PACs assumed their pre-procedural frequency, ie, occassional bouts of 1-4/min, particularly a day or two after exercise. Per doc's suggestion, I am taking flecainide to stop the PACs and it works quite well. Played a soccer game yesterday and no PACs before, during, or after. I will wait for the season to end and taper off meds to see what's what. PACs are a royal PIA, however, things could be worse, so I'm grateful for the Univ of PA Med Center team and happy to be kickin' again.
pps Leslie, talk to an electrophysiologist (cardiologist specializing in catheter ablation therapy) to get a straight answer to your problem...don't rely on a generalized answer from the internet.