Two time a-Fib Ablation Losers

[xxDoylexx]

Hey I have had two ablations in the last year,  First I had a fib, then I developed a flutter which was treated in the second ablation.  Both, were left atrial issues.  I was good for four months  now the a-flutter/a-fib is back, SOB,

Any ideas on the next step...  

Round three?
Different Doctor?

[MaryLL]

I can relate. I had 3 catheter ablations (2 within 6 months) and so many cardioversions in the past year I can't count them. And still, a-fib and a-flutter continued. My EP referred me to a cardiac surgeon for the next step. On 12/12/13, I had a bilateral thoracoscopic ablation (mini-maze). It was much more intense than the catheter ablations and took longer to recover. I am now at 7 weeks post-surgery and no a-fib episodes. My doctor says if this continues, I can go off the amiodarone in another 6 weeks and look at getting off warfarin in 3 months. I'm cautiously optimistic.
I know how frustrating it is to get your hopes up, have a procedure, and then feel the same or worse than you did before. I was having episodes every week after the last catheter ablation. I asked the thoracic surgeon if people got worse after the surgery and he said "I've done hundreds of them and no one has ever gotten worse. They either stop having episodes altogether or they have greatly decreased episodes." I hope he was right.
About 2% of a-fib is resistant to treatment and more intense measures have to be taken.
Wishing you the best and you have my support in getting through this frustrating, depressing, anxiety producing condition,

[Wayne28]

I've had a similar experience, with one failed ablation, and now am on Flecainide successfully.  The doctor started me on 75 mg twice a day, and when that worked I wanted to try 50 mg twice a day, and that is keeping me in sinus rhythm just fine, for 9 months now.  I've been able to travel abroad without any worries, and no more AFib.  This drug may not be for everyone but it sure has helped me.  Good luck.

[Jerry_NJ]

I'm the old guy here and AFib gets worse with age, or more common.  I have held in NSR for as much as 18 months following electrocardioversions, both times I took Propafenone.  I've never taken anything as "strong" as Sotalol, and my cardiologist doesn't support even trying to get me back in NSR any longer.  The reason being my quality of life shouldn't include running and hiking for exercise, I should be happy I can still walk.  I use BB and CCB to lower HR and Warfarin for clot prevention (so far).

Not intended to be a downer, hope the Sotalol hold and ablations get better.  I've not had one of those as my doctors say my odds are not good given I have an enlarged left atrium.

[PapaOwl]

I failed two ablations as well and over a period of three years had 10 electrocardioversions, including after the second ablation.  My goal was to not take meds but after my lst shock I decided to keep taking the meds hoping by the time the meds fail the procedures will be that much better.  I feel for you and thr frustration of this beast! Luckily for me I have been A-fib free for about 14 months on a low dose of Sotalol.

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry to read you have backslid into AFib.  I understand it is not uncommon for it to take several tries.  The fact that you got relief for a 4 month period.  Were you on any medication following the ablation?  I guess one of the goals with ablation is to get off of medications.

As for doctor/EP I think if the one you have has a good record and does ablation surgery often (I'd say more than once a week) there isn't much reason to seek a different doctor.  If the EP is new to the business, you may have better results if you can get referred to an EP with a more experience.  They all have to learn, but ...