Recovery from Atrial Flutter Ablation

[mml78]

Hi, everyone--

I've had paroxysmal a-fib and a-flutter since I was about 16 years old (I'm 36 now).  The doctors have never been able to find a cause for it, but they think there's a genetic component to my rhythm problems.

Back in 2008, I had an ablation for a-fib, a PVI.  Since then, I've still had problems, but mainly atrial flutter.  This past year has been really bad, with episodes lasting longer than 24 hours.  Exactly one week ago, I had an ablation for atrial flutter.  The EP stayed on the right side of my heart and he said he was able to recreate the arrhythmia and ablate it.

Things were fine for a few days, but this morning I had an episode of what felt like a-flutter.  It lasted about one hour, and I took 10 mg of propranolol to control the rate.  Once it converted, I felt a few extra beats for a while and then I felt ok.  

I'm just wondering if it's normal to have episodes lasting this long after an ablation?  My doctor said it's not uncommon to have episodes for the first few weeks after, but they shouldn't last too long.  I'm not sure what "too long" means, though, and my follow-up with him isn't for a couple of weeks.  Has anyone else out there had a successful a-flutter ablation and felt episodes in the weeks immediately following the procedure?  I'd love to read your stories and insights.

Thanks for your help and support!

[buyingthetruth]

I think that is a good sign.  I was ablated this third time for left atypical aflutter and right aflutter.  My old faithful used to come in at ~130 BPM, and during this recovery I have had epiosed at the ~155 BPM, but mainly 95- 105 BPM.  I also have noticed, even though they may be sustained, that my heart is trying to break out of them more in the middle with some pauses, etc. When before, I would be straigh fast "regular" flutter for the whole time of the episode.

[mml78]

Thank you so much for your replies!  I'm trying to remain hopeful that the irregular beats and episodes are just my body healing.  buyingthetruth, I noticed, too, that the a-flutter episode I had yesterday was slower than my normal ones.  My pulse was 130 versus the normal 155 that I used to get.  I hope you maintain NSR once you've fully healed.  :)

[buyingthetruth]

I just wrote my first post on this board last week, and it was asking the same thing.  I have had 3 ablations, 39 years old, and no other health issues other than the irregular heart beats.  All of my recoveries have been a little different, but I have has sustained episodes during recovery.  I am 9 weeks away from my last ablation, and the 8th week was my worst with 6 of the 7 days having sustained events, lasting 5 to 24 hours.  I have had a 3 day episode of flutter this past recovery also, but BPM was only 96 - 105 which is a entirely different aflutter than I have expierenced before.  My doctor is good and well respected, and he said we should see things really calm down over the next couple of weeks for me.  I am currently 5 days with NSR (tons of PACs/PVCs) with no sustained episodes.  I have read tons on the web, and have heard of people having horrible blankinbg periods and still having ultimate success.  I will pray that your healing goes well.

[itdood]

No exact personal experience for me to relate.  I can pass along from my years on this board that it's not uncommon for things to be unsettled post ablation.  It can take weeks to months to relaize the full effects.  And sometimes you have to go back in for a touch up.  anyways, I hope all the best for you and quick recovery.