A Fib - Catheter Ablation - Good Idea?

[katrose366]

Hi,
I've been dx w/A Fib.  I have about 2 episodes/month, while laying down at night asleep / or awake.  I'm on
medication: Flecinaide Acetate 50 - 100 mg 2x/day and take Metoprolol when I have an episode.  My doctor is
recommending I get Catheter Ablation done to cure my condition.  How successful is this procedure?  How safe is it?  What else can I look into to tx/cure my condition?  Otherwise, I'm very healthy and I prefer to NOT be on medication for the rest of my life.

Thanks!!

[LindaTX]

As young as you are, I think if you can have an excellent Dr. perform the ablation you should strongly consider it.  You need someone who has a lot of experience....I can't stress that enough.

I  DEALT WITH MORE AND MORE FREQUENT EPISODES OF A-FIB OVER A 14 YEAR PERIOD.  THE ANTI-ARRHYTHMIA DRUGS EVENTUALLY STOP WORKING. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TH GET THE WORLD RENOWN DR. ANDRE NATALE TO DO MINE IN AUSTIN, TX.  I HAD 3 MONTHS AFTER THEABLATION OF A-FIB BOUTS AND THEN SOME ANNOYING TACHYCARDIA.  IT TAKES A FEW MONTHS FOR THE HEART TO SETTLE DOWN BACK ON THE RIGHT PATH.  IT'S NOT BAD, THE ABLATION, BY ANY MEANS.  LOOK INTO IT AND THERE ARE LOTS OF SUCCESS STORIES TO READ ABOUT ON HERE.  I'M REALLY GLAD I HAD MINE DONE WHEN I DID.  GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND STAY IN TOUCH!

[Jerry_NJ]

I believe you would undergo an electro physical (I think I have the name right) study before any final decision on an ablation would be reached.  That study should give the doctor the information needed to estimate you chance of success, it will not be 100%, that I know.

I had a mini maze procedure done on my heart when I underwent heart surgery to repair my mitral valve.  The surgeon gave the maze a 60% chance of success.  It failed.  This is offered simply as an example that stopping AFib is never a 100% procedure.  My doctor does not support trying an ablation on me even though I am in one continuous episode, that is permanent AFib, the good news is my symptoms are minor, mainly limiting my physical endurance, no more running for exercise for me...but then I am 72 years old which doesn't help either.

I had my annual physical today, by my primary care doctor. He too does an EKG and it clearly showed I was in AFib, I am all the time, no long term monitor needed to find it in my case.  

[DeltaDawn23]

I've been told usually ablation is tried when the patient has failed 2 anti-arrythmic drugs.  I controlled my Afib with Atenolol (beta blocker) for 8 years.  Then, it wasn't enough and I went on Norpace XR.  and have gone 11 months without an episode.  The meds have some side effects.  I was told I have a 50/50 chance of ablation working 1st time, 75% 2nd time.  I think Afib is more difficult to fix than some of the other arrythmias.  Of course, all of this varies from patient to patient.  Are you on a blood thinner?  Perhaps a 2nd opinion would be order if you are on the fence about the ablation?  I'm not going that route until I see no other option, but again, it is very personal.  Good luck -- keep us posted.