Catheter Ablation Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

[bill_boston]

I have this AFib for a few years.  It happens about every 2-4 weeks and each time lasts about 1-10 hours.  It normally happens at midnight and disappear in the morning, about after I start or finish my morning exercise.  Other than that, I'm considered quite healthy.  The question is, under this condition, should I go ahead and do the Catheter Ablation Procedure or should I just leave it alone?  I did try medication such as Propafenon, Propranolol(beta blocker) and they didn't work.  In fact, I'm scheduled to do the CAP in a few weeks.  Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

[Jerry_NJ]

The advice to me from my cardiologist and my consulting electrophysiologist (EP) is my symptoms are not severe enough to take the risk of a left atrium (AFib) ablation.  I have chronic or constant AFib, but the symptoms are mild.  It does cut down on my ability to carry out heavy physical activity, I've given running/jogging.

Rythmol, Propafenone and Toprol have all been used, I continue only with the Metoprolol to control my HR, keep it from being too high from the AFib "leak through" to the ventricle.

[bill_boston]

Thanks a lot for your comments.  That's what I feel at this moment.  The struggle I had was, I had a total of 70 hours of AFib each year for the pass 2-3 years.  I am 60 years old.  If I can get this out of the way, it would be nice.  But I worried about the risk of complications.  The CAP is invasive and irreversible.  I'm not sure it takes care of the root cause.  Also each episode I had never exceeded 10 hours.  It normally recovered in the morning.  

Any way, thanks again for your advice.  I'll take it seriously.  I may choose to put off the CAP.

BR

Bill

[Jerry_NJ]

From what you say you may have a high probability of an ablation being effective.  In my case I also have an enlarged left atrium, over 5 cm diameter and that lowers the probability of a success for me.  As said, minor symptoms, and it sounds like that's what you have, do not seem to justify the risk.  

I would be inclined to keep an "eye" on the AFib episodes and if they start to increase think about going for an ablation then.  I turn 70 next Saturday, and understand that I am not too old for the procedure.  Another factor to consider it what comes out of Washington on a governmental health insurance program.  If one comes out, it could change the whole landscape of getting care, and it could, I believe, make it harder to get "optional" medical procedures, especially if you end up on a governmental program, including Medicare.  I have retirement paid health insurance, but when I turned 65 my employer/sponsor required me to take full Medicare (Including Part B) as my primary coverage.  So, I am subject to government oversight on my health care already, regardless of what is next.