Pulmonary Vein Ablation

Is it normal to have visual auras and headaches after a pulmonary vein ablation?  I have never had migraines before the procedure.

[smconorm]

I also had one short (20 minute) episode of tunnel vision following a pulmonary vein ablation.  No headaches though.  I thought it may have been a side effect from the meds used during the ablation or just a problem trying to return to work to soon-- Three days after the ablation.  This event was somewhat concerning since I was very much aware of the possibility of strokes due to clots forming during the procedure.   Anyway it has never returned.

[ptadvoc8]

I am not sure in re pulmonary veins specifically, but do I know from personal experience, and from comments my EPS doctor and nurses made that ocular migraine (with aura) with, or without, accompanying headaches is a known complication of ablation for many types of arrhythmia disorders. There are various theories as to why this occurs, but no real solid evidence that points to any one reason or mechanism that I am aware of.

Although this is a known side effect, I would still suggest you report the symptoms to your doctor. Hopefully they will soon go away. How long ago was your procedure and how often are you having headaches? My ablation was on 17 Sept. and I while the ablation itself seems to have gone quite well, I had a really bad migraine with aura while still in hospital the day after the procedure, then have continued to have less severe ones about every couple of days since I was released from hospital. I had a bad one just this morning, but am now feeling better. I am REALLY hoping these get better soon. I did have a couple migraines each year before the procedure, but nothing like I am having now. If mine are not better in a week or so, I plan to go back to my cardiologist and/or see a neurologist.

Best wishes -- I hope your ablation was successful and that your headaches are soon gone!

[fenn_dawg]

I had a PVI ablation last week 12/30 and today I have had my second migraine in two days (with aura). I used to suffer from migraines in my late teens and twenties. It was repalced with AFIB in my thirties and forties. I hope they go away soon or subside to less of a frequencey.

[MBAY]

I was interested to see this topic-- within 4 weeks after my PVA and AVNRT ablations, the auras happened to me on two occasions.  Once was after having been looking at a computer screen for a while, so i thought that was the problem.  The other came about in my classroom, without cause.  Both lasted a good 15 minutes.  It was like flashing lights in my periphery and was very scary.  I looked this up and saw ocular migrane (migraine) (I never had the headaches, thank goodness).  But this is the first time I'm seeing a possible connection.  My EP cardiologist/surgeon made no connection and said i should see an optholologist.  So much out there these surgeons seem woefully unaware of, wish they'd start listening to the patients!  I'm 5+ weeks out from the procedure (it was 5 hours and complex because of a congenital anomaly), no further auras.  Waiting for the flutters and skips to even out.  Not 100% success so far and I hope it will settle down.  I really do not want another procedure.