Back in atrial flutter after ablation-could this be normal?

[Jessy80]

I had cardiac ablation for atrial flutter on March 26. The first 4 weeks were ok, I was in NSR even though resting heart rate was a bit higher than before, but that seemed to normalize after the first two weeks. I was kept on toprol xr twice a day (total of 150mg) and digoxin. My doctor canceled my follow up appointment and that same day something seemed to snap and my heart rate started going up. It was NSR at first but then developed into the same symptoms I was having when I was hospitalized in February.

After numerous phone calls to his office, the secretary said she spoke to his nurse who said this was normal. They said they would see me but did not call to reschedule. I tried calling again with no luck. I went to one of my regular cardiologists who confirmed I was back in atrial flutter with an ekg, his office too tried to schedule an appointment for me to see the EP but no luck so far.

I am now almost 2 months post ablation and having the same symptoms as before despite being on medication. Only difference is now my heart rate doesn't go to fast rhythm, highest it goes is in the 90s but it drops as low as 40s. I feel lousy and depressed because I keep thinking I went through this for nothing. I was in NSR after a cardioversion when I went in for the ablation, and doing so good I thought the ablation would cure me like the dr said so I would never have to go through this again.

Could this be normal? Anyone go through this and then go back to NSR? :(

[Jessy80]

Thanks Ger, I think just not being able to get proper follow up makes things worse; I keep thinking what if it's something else and they don't catch it on time to reverse it because they've waited too long? I'm gonna keep pushing though and if it's a matter of having something else done, I will certainly go to another EP.

I've read about the 3 months but I'm worried because it seems to get worse as time goes by and not better; if this had happened when I first had it done I would feel more assured, but I was feeling so well that first month I was even hoping I would get taken off my meds or have the dosages reduced. I'll try to keep calling and hope my EP will see me soon. Thanks!

[Ger57]

Hi Jessy,

I am so sorry to hear that you experience atrial flutter again. I understand that this must be a big bummer for you.

However, many people experience some atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter following a catheter ablation due to inflammation of the heart tissue. For this reason, the first three months are generally considered a "blanking period" in which success or failure should not be judged.
Some folks even say that their afib following catheter ablation is as bad as before, or worse. That is due to the inflammation, and the arrhythmia is often different from that experienced previously. As the body heals and the inflammation resolves, the afib and atrial flutter generally go away.

2 months post ablation is much too soon to think of treatment failure.

What you experienced with the EP and staff, or rather what you did NOT experience is not acceptable imo. I understand that the EP is a busy person but he needs to make time for patients with urgent questions and serious doubts after surgical intervention.

Sure hope the flutter phantom flies far away from you soon.

Ger