Afib and AV node ablation

[cyclist37]

Does Afib or AV node ablation eventually lead to heart failure?  I get different answers to this question. I have been told by a couple of cardiac doctors and nurses that Afib does lead to HF and AV node ablation gets you there quicker.  But my primary care doc says this is not true. Whats true?

[twinbee]

First of all, listen to what the cardio doctor say instead of your PCP. Cardio's speciality is the heart so I would take their advise over a PCP. From what I understand, having a-fib for a long period of time can cause damage to your heart. That is what my EP told me, and when my a-fib became progressively worse and more frequent it was decided that an ablation was needed. Now the AV node ablation is something I do not know alot about. The only thing I know about this procedure is that according to my regular EP and the EP that did my ablation it is a procedure that they consider a "last resort" type of procedure. I was told they try to avoid this procedure especially on younger patients due to the fact that you will be depended on a pacemaker. Maybe someone else on this forum can help you with the AV node question.

[cyclist37]

Thanks for your comments.  I am older (71 yrs) but quite active so I guess AV node ablation was the thing to do.  It does worry me that I am pacemaker dependent, however.  I am afraid of developing heart failure.